Videos

The seventh annual Women of Color Summit & Ally Institute kicked-off in Niagara Falls at the Hilton DoubleTree Hotel. Sponsored in-part by the Erie County Commission on the Status of Women, the conference recognizes the unique challenges and responsibilities that women of color face in… read more about 7th Annual Women of Color Summit & Ally Institute

On March 5th, the Erie County Commission on the Status of Women (ECCSW) held their annual Women's History Month Kick-off and Awards Event to celebrate women who are "Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future".    Deputy County Executive Lisa Chimera gave an inspiring… read more about 2026 Women's History Month: Kickoff & Awards Event

On October 22, 2025, the Erie County Commission on the Status of Women hosted the Girls Civic Engagement Program Fall Seminar. Students participated in a roundtable discussion with former and current elected officials including; Leah Halton-Pope, Zeneta B. Everhart, Angela Marinucci, Karen Hoak,… read more about Girls Civic Engagement Program- 2025 Fall Seminar

Recording of women's health forum from October 18, 2025 at the Frank E. Merriweather Library in Buffalo. Moderated by J'Leise Sosa, MD. MPH, FACOG; participants included Joshna Singh, MBBS, Kelly Marie Wofford, MS, and Sarah L. Berga, MD. Topics included menopause and perimenopause (medical,… read more about Beyond the Reproductive Years - Women's Health Forum

On September 27, 2025, Commissioner of Public Advocacy and Executive Director of the Erie County Commission on the Status of Women Karen King, PhD., Deputy Erie County Executive Lisa Chimera, Child & Family Services Director of Victim Services Tiffany Pavone, Director, Family Violence &… read more about Tribute Garden WNY 10th Anniversary

Legislative Specialist  For the Seneca Nations Tina Abrams has been a voice of leadership in the Seneca Nation for decades. First elected to the Seneca Nation Council in 2001, she was the first woman appointed as the legislative body’s Co-Chair in 2012. As an elected representative of the… read more about Living Trailblazing Women of WNY: Tina Abrams

A native of Alexandria, Louisiana, Dr. Barbara Seals Nevergold moved to Buffalo, New York in 1947 at the age of three. Her parents, Rev. Willie B. and Clara Ellis Seals, relocated to the city as pioneers of the Great Migration. They moved into an apartment at 266 Walnut Street with Rev. Seals’… read more about Living Trailblazing Women of WNY: Barbara Seals Nevergold

Jane Hartney was born in Buffalo, growing-up in a large family of nine kids and attending local Catholic schools through high school, where she discovered photography and the magic of a darkroom. Later, in college, a history professor at Buffalo State suggested she consider journalism, and so, her… read more about Living Trailblazing Women of WNY: Jane Hartney

Kimberly L. Johnson, affectionately known to family, friends and co-workers as Kim, was born and raised in Buffalo, NY. She attended Buffalo public schools and graduated from Grover Cleveland High School in 1988. Kim later attended Medaille College where she received a Bachelor of Science Degree in… read more about Living Trailblazing Women of WNY: Kimberly Johnson

Lillian S. Williams, PhD is associate professor of history in the Africana and American Studies Department at the University at Buffalo, SUNY where she teaches courses on gender, urbanization and history. Professor Williams has served in several department and university administrative positions… read more about Living Trailblazing Women of WNY: Lillian Williams