(L-R) Ashley Pallano, Shelly October, Mayor Mike Spano, Melvina Lathan, Phyllis Fowlkes, Rehva Jones, Alessanda Restiano, Council President Lakisha Collins- Bellamy, Council Majority Leader Tasha Diaz, photo by Maurice Mercado
On Oct. 26, Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano last evening swore-in seven members to serve on the Mayor’s Women’s Advisory Board. The Board’s goal is to advise the Mayor on issues that affect the quality of life for women in the City of Yonkers.
“Now more than ever, women are leading and empowering other women to enact social change. I look forward to developing programs and addressing issues that intricately affect the women here in the City of Yonkers,” said Mayor Spano. “This Board will assist in creating a forum for our women to discuss issues, ideas and establish initiatives that help increase the participation of residents within our communities and enhance their quality of life.”
The Mayor’s Women’s Advisory Board will review and monitor City policies, procedures, practices and programs; work with the Mayor and City staff to develop and recommend effective policies, legislation and/or services to eliminate discrimination and improve opportunities for women and their families in Yonkers; and promote equal status of women and encourage public policy to cooperate in such endeavors.
The new board members appointed by the Mayor include:
Melvina Lathan (Chairwoman) – Former Commissioner for the New York State Athletic Commission, Former Director of Youth Development with Yonkers PAL, Board of Directors of International Boxing Federation, President of American Association for the Improvement of Boxing and Yonkers Community Advocate.
Phyllis Fowlkes (Vice-Chair) – Retired Educator and current Administrator and Director of Yonkers based nonprofit 501(c)3 Public Space Arts, Inc.
Rehva Jones (Secretary I) – Principal of Effective Strategies, LLC, a strategic management consulting practice and professor of statistics at the University of the District of Columbia.
Alessandra Restiano (Secretary II) – Director of Community Programs & Contracts for the Westchester County Board of Legislators.
Ashley Pallano – Events and Volunteer Manager of Yonkers Family YMCA, Grant Writer and Yonkers Community Advocate.
Benita Perez – Plant Operations Manager of MSKCC and Associate Broker for Premier Realty, Inc. in Yonkers.
Shelly October – Speech-Language Pathologist for New York City Public Schools and Westchester County Launch 1000 participant for Entrepreneurship.
Members of Mayor Spano’s Women’s Advisory Board will serve one-year terms. Dwanita Crosby will serve as the Mayor’s Liaison.
The Mayor’s Women’s Advisory Board can be reached directly at yonkersmwab@gmail.com
