Shrewsbury Public Library to recognize local leaders as part of Women’s History Month

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By Melanie Petrucci, Senior Community Reporter

March is Women’s History Month. As such, the Shrewsbury Public Library will be featuring a new video series, “Community Voices: Women’s History Month”, that will highlight prominent local women leaders.Shrewsbury – March is Women’s History Month. As such, the Shrewsbury Public Library will be featuring a new video series, “Community Voices: Women’s History Month,” that will highlight prominent local women leaders.

The project’s mission

The intent of the project is to recognize women while bringing the community together. The concept began as a children’s program but after “further conversation,” library director Priya Rathnam and Sonja Drotar, head of children’s services, felt it would appeal to the entire community.

The participants

Library staff selected women who they believed families would be familiar with and who hold positive leadership roles in the community. They are Shrewsbury’s own Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, State Rep. Hannah E. Kane (R-Shrewsbury), Board of Selectmen Chair Beth Casavant, Library Director Priya Rathnam, local author April Jones Prince, community organizer Missy Hollenback, Al Hamra Academy principal Noor Ali, and local Realtor and library supporter Arathi Cowlagi.

When asked what it meant to be asked to participate, Ali replied, “Representing women of the Shrewsbury community for this project holds great meaning to me both personally and professionally.”

Why recognizing women is vital

“As a female serving in an elected position, I was happy to participate in this project. It’s important for girls and women to know that their voices are needed in leadership roles,” Casavant shared.

“It’s important to celebrate Women’s History Month because women are vital to our society and have worked and contribute so much to it but are often overlooked in their achievements,” Drotar said. “We must spotlight women to inspire, encourage, and educate young boys and girls and to break down preconceived societal gender barriers.”

“I’m so grateful to the women who participated in the project and would love to share their voices as far as possible,” she added.

How to watch

Videos will be shared on the library’s Facebook page every Monday and Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. during the month of March.

For those interested in receiving notifications they can sign up for a listserv by clicking here.

Once the program is live the videos will be posted on the Shrewsbury Public Library’s YouTube channel and they will be shared with Shrewsbury Media Connection.

 

 

 

 

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