White Plains, NY — The Westchester County Board of Legislators marked Women's History Month on Monday night, celebrating four women for their contributions to the county, the state and the country.

Legislator Catherine Borgia presented a Board proclamation to New York State Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, who began her career in public service on her local town board, served as Erie County Clerk and in Congress representing New York's 26th Congressional District. She was elected Lieutenant Governor in 2014.

"New York is the birthplace of the Women's Rights Movement," Hochul said. "And that is part of our DNA and part of our responsibility.  It's on our shoulders and it's not on the shoulders of any other state, of individuals of any other state."

Vice Chair Alfreda Williams presented a Board proclamation to Karen Cheeks-Lomax, CEO of My Sisters' Place, which has worked since 1978 to end violence in intimate relationships and combat the effects of domestic violence and human trafficking on women, men and children throughout Westchester.  Cheeks-Lomax has served as CEO of the organization since 2005.

"Today is a call to action for all of us to participate in a meaningful dialog about gender parity," Cheeks-Lomax said. "We are in the midst of a revolution in this country and every day we are witness to cries for social justice and a demand to be heard and believed."
Legislator Kitley Covill presented a Board proclamation to Maria Imperial, CEO of the YWCA White Plains and Central Westchester. The YW's Westchester facility runs the largest residential program for women in Westchester, hosts conferences on topics critical to the lives of women, and advocates on behalf of women and children. Imperial also has served as Executive Director of the City Bar Justice Center.

Imperial said her greatest achievement in 10 years at the organization is putting a sign in front of the building and in every room daily reading: “Eliminating Racism and Empowering Women.” She added, "Everyone wins in a society where women and girls have the opportunity to reach their fullest potential."

Chair Ben Boykin presented a Board proclamation to Rosemarie Noonan, Executive Director of Housing Action Council, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to expanding housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income households throughout Westchester and the region. Noonan has been executive director of the organization since 1986.

Noting that a large majority of the applications that come in for affordable housing come from women, Noonan said, "I believe that housing, affordable housing is the foundation of empowering women, children and others, and that that's how we need to think about it."