On Sunday, March 8, 2026, the World Mission Society Church of God hosted an empowering forum titled “Women Leaders of Westchester: Women’s Day Forum” in honor of Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, highlighting the accomplishments of women and the challenges they’ve overcome in their given fields and careers.
The event featured several keynote speakers and panelists, including Congressman George Latimer, Supreme Court Justice Bianca Perez, Judge Fiordaliza Rodriguez, Court Attorney Referee Jessica Brenes, Legislator Jewel Williams, Legislator Shanae Williams, and Real Estate Mogul Dorothy Botsoe.
The forum covered a spectrum of topics boiling down to the adversity women have overcome in traditionally male-dominated fields, especially as it relates to positions of leadership. Speakers emphasized the importance of mental wellness and selfcare in high-stress careers, balancing family and community responsibilities. Moreover, they shared their own personal anecdotes of their journeys as women in leadership.
Following the keynote speeches and insightful panel discussion, the Church of God shared a presentation on women’s history, highlighting the groundbreaking work of women pioneers and the foundation they’ve laid for the next generation of women.
The presentation concluded with the connection between the rise of women leaders and the existence of God the Mother. Prior to the 20th century, women taking on corporate or government leadership roles was mostly unheard of. This correlates to the prophetic vision of the Bible which foresaw the unveiling of the existence of the female image of God in the modern age.
God the Mother is a belief that is now more widely accepted, due in part to the rise of women in leadership roles around the world. What is more: this is not a theory, it is based on the original Hebrew scriptures which express God as Elohim, which means “Gods” in the plural form – indicating a male God (God the Father) and a female God (God the Mother).
“ Your faith which highlights that the Deity is female as well as male is an important statement, and I do understand that as a Christian,” said Congressman George Latimer. “Your work here in Westchester County—and worldwide—Lord knows the world needs it, and I compliment you on that.”
“The best lessons are gained through lived experience. Events like the Women Leaders of Westchester are important because it allows us to share those lessons with others and the wisdom that come with it,” said Court Attorney Referee Jessica Brenes.
Following the panel discussion, Legislator Shanae Williams presented a proclamation in honor of the volunteers of the World Mission Society Church of God for its continued commitment to women’s empowerment through its past events such as the International Day of Women Judges Forum and its Women in Stem Forum. Legislator Margaret Cunzio, Legislator Colin Smith, Legislator David Imamura, Legislator James Nolan, Legislator Jewel Williams Johnson, Legislator Shanae Williams and Chairman Vedat Gashi all signed the proclamation.
The event concluded with a networking reception where attendees could interact with the speakers and panelists. The Church of God hosts forums like this to bring people together and address societal issues with actionable solutions. By doing so, the members emulate the love of God the Father and God the Mother, participating in positive engagements and volunteer work for their communities.
This forum is the latest in an ongoing series of women’s empowerment events hosted by the Church of God in Westchester, following the Women in Justice Seminar for International Day of Women Judges (March 2025) and the Women in STEM Forum on National STEM Day (December 2025).
About the World Mission Society Church of God
The World Mission Society Church of God is a faith-based, non-profit organization that strives to spread the love of Christ through beautiful deeds. Since its establishment in 1964, the Church of God has grown to more than 8,000 locations in more than 175 countries. For its contribution to the welfare of society, the Church of God has received numerous recognitions throughout the world, including the President’s Call to Service Award in the United States, the Presidential Citation in South Korea, and the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in the United Kingdom. For more information, visit wmscog.com. Stay connected on Twitter @WMSCOGEastCoast and Facebook @WMSCOGEastCoast.
