The Buffalo & Erie County Public Library in downtown Buffalo at 1 Lafayette Square will be the location for the kickoff of the local celebration of Women’s History Month, set for Thursday, March 2 at 4 p.m. Collaboratively established by the Library and Erie County as an annual event starting in 2010, the Women’s History Month Kickoff includes introduction of the 2017 centralized calendar, listing 34 events, lectures, workshops, and films occurring in March with a focus on women and girls in our community.

“Women’s History Month is an opportunity to celebrate and appreciate the multitude of ways that women contribute to our community, our economy, and our families,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “The Women’s History Month calendar features a full month of events that will be informational, fun, and inspiring to participate in and I encourage everyone to take part.”

The calendar is available in printed form at all Buffalo and Erie County public libraries and online at www.BuffaloLib.org and www.Erie.gov. The kickoff event is free and open to the public.

County Executive Poloncarz will be joined at the event on March 2 by Karen King, Executive Director of the Erie County Commission on the Status of Women, other elected officials, and Library Director Mary Jean Jakubowski. Keynote speakers at the kickoff are Eva Hassett, Executive Director of the International Institute of Buffalo; Annie Krause, Executive Director of Stronger Together WNY; and Denise Szymura, President of the Coalition of Labor Union Women. A musical performance by the Buffalo Center for Arts & Technology Chorus is also included in the program.

The Kickoff and related activities for Women’s History Month in Buffalo & Erie County are coordinated by the WNY Women’s Action Coalition, comprised of representatives of the following organizations: the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library, Erie County Commission on the Status of Women, AAUW-Buffalo Branch, Association for a Buffalo Presidential Center, Junior League of Buffalo, League of Women Voters, Planned Parenthood of Central & Western New York, the Teal Project, University at Buffalo Gender Institute, WNY Women’s Foundation, WomenEvents Buffalo, Women on the Rise, and the Women’s Business Center at Canisius College. Support for this initiative is provided by New York State Women, Inc. Buffalo Niagara Chapter.

To learn more about Women’s History Month activities, visit www.BuffaloLib.org or www.Erie.gov .