I’ve participated in a number of events this year in honor of March’s Women’s History Month – the causes of women and girls are very important to me.

First, I spoke at One World Girl’s second annual International Women's Day dinner on Thursday, March 7. This inspirational organization encourages every girl to become an agent for change, through educational programs, community events, scholarships, service projects, global trips, and creative endeavors. It also works to bring girls together from diverse backgrounds, to learn from one another, share their stories, build leadership gifts and explore ways to address and heal the divisiveness in their communities and the world. That’s something we all could strive for.

You can learn more about One World Girl here: https://www.oneworldgirl.org/

Next, I spoke on a panel at the Long Island chapter of ATHENA International, which develops, supports, and honors women leaders. Its March event, by popular demand, was on the topic of Women and Negotiation, and it was hosted by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.  We panelists talked about how we use negotiation in business to resolve points of difference, gain an advantage, or craft outcomes to satisfy various interests. That last goal is especially important.

Here I am with the other panelists. Next to me (l. to r.) is Eric Jordan, Deputy Executive Director, Ambulatory Strategy and Business Development, Northwell Health; Christine Malafi, Esq., Senior Partner, Campolo, Middleton & McCormick, LLP; Jennifer Tuschong, Director, The Estee Lauder Companies (Moderator): and Dominique Moran, Partner, Farrell Fritz.

You can learn more about Athena Long Island here: http://www.athenalongisland.com/

Finally, I attended a 100^th anniversary gala to celebrate the founding of the first Girl Scout troop in Nassau County, which was in Lynbrook. Juliette Gordon-Lowe had decided to start an organization for girls to develop leadership skills in 1912, so Long Island was quick off the mark. This fun photo shows the girls from that era.

Today, the Girl Scouts are the oldest youth organization in Nassau County. Back in 1912, the girls conducted experiments with electricity, a fairly new invention, and today they do STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) projects. It’s a changing world, and great to see girls participating fully.

I hope you’ll join me in celebrating the accomplishments of women, and the cultivation of our girls. Happy Women’s History Month!