Women’s Summit ends with call to action

The two-day 5th Annual Women’s Summit, hosted by the CNMI Women’s Association and Office of Women’s Affairs, ended on March 27 at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe with a call to action.

The summit adopted the International Women’s Day theme of “Press for [Continued] Progress.”

Featuring panel discussions, Q&A segments and personal stories, the summit brought together the voices and insights of a diverse range of participants from all three islands and speakers from the worlds of business, education, government, health, and ministry.

Featured panelists included Bishop Ryan Jimenez, Pastor Beth Nunez, and Sister MaryAnn Hartmann (“Faith”); Vicky Benavente, Sid Seman, and Ross Manglona (“Women & the Workforce”); Cynthia Deleon Guerrero, Rose Pangelinan, and Frank Cabrera (“Women & Education”); Gloria Cavanagh, Velma Palacios, Mark Rabauliman, Nicole Babauta, and Shirley Sablan (“Women & the Economy”); Vice Speaker Janet Maratita, former representatives Ana S. Teregeyo, Maria “Malua” T. Peter, and Felicidad T. Ogumoro (“Women & Public Service”); Joyce M. Songsong, Dr. Glenda George, and Sarah Thomas-Nededog (“Women & Health”); and Chailang Palacios and Jackie Quitugua (“Women & Culture).

Ogumoro, who is also the CNMI Women’s Association administrator and Women’s Summit chair, said the outcome of this year’s summit “is a result and reflection of the CNMI Women’s Association’s and the Women’s Affairs Office’s longstanding commitment to educating, empowering and supporting women.”

Highlights of the summit included an open discussion on faith and prayer, and a call to action to empower, support and elect more female leaders into public office in 2022.

Other topics and statistics touched on women’s impact in the economy, equal pay and salary disparities between men and women, education attainment; dealing with loss, drugs, and depression; and taking care of one’s physical and mental wellbeing.

In a galvanizing end to a momentous event, the audience was prompted with a call to action, “We are the ones we have been waiting for. The time is now.”

Wide-ranging programming throughout the month of March (CNMI Women’s Month) were designed to inspire action and fuel creative fires spanning leadership, entrepreneurship, the arts, health, and education.

The 5th Annual Women’s Summit was sponsored by the CNMI Women’s Association and the Women’s Affairs Office, and was partially funded by the Community Services Block Grant, a sub-grant awarded by the DCCA Division of Youth Services through funds under the Office of Community Services, Department of Health and Human Services. (PR)