(WHITE PLAINS, NY) “International Women’s Day was first created with a dual purpose, first, as a celebration of the women who have come before us and achieved so much through their advocacy, and second, as a call to action to pick up the mantle. This year’s International Women’s Day will be marked in a different manner. Women both near and far will be participating in ‘A Day without a Woman.’ A day of action is needed in recognition of everything women, who make up more than half of the population, bring to the workplace and their home lives while experiencing greater inequalities.

“Steps which are being encouraged include: women take the day off from paid and unpaid labor, avoid shopping for one day (with exceptions for small, women- and minority-owned businesses), and wear RED in solidarity. In appreciation of this day, we have encouraged our entire staff to participate in any way they can. Many women in our office will be staying home and staff members who work today will be donning red.

“Women’s rights are Human rights, and today we all stand together in support of this ideal. What makes us truly great as a County is our diversity and the understanding that we all bring something necessary to the table. Today is a day to remember the equality we should all strive to achieve.”