International Women's Day Middletown!

International Women's Day, 2014. 
from left to right, JCherry, Bobby Knoll, Rusa D'Alessandro, Elizabeth McKenty,and Dina Abramo Pratt 
Middletown Art Academy

International Women's Day is celebrated on March 8 all around the world to unite women from all backgrounds and promote equality. Here in Middletown on Sunday, March 8 at 3:00pm, at MAC 650 Art Space on 650 Main Street, Middletown, there will be 16 diversified ladies speaking. From artists, writers, entrepreneurs, religious leaders, mothers, and grandmothers, along with art and music. This is a day to celebrate women and it is a tradition that is growing in the North End of Middletown.

With a history that reaches back to the early part of the twentieth century, International Women’s Day is an important means for women to educate, share, and exchange ideas. Here in Middletown it all started a few years ago in a intimate setting spearheaded by Rusa D’Alessandro. D'Alessandro is an impassioned woman, The Head Mistress and founder of Middletown Art Academy, and the producer of, The North End Gallery Walk that happens from May thru October on the first Thursday of the month. “I am dedicated to creating a much needed platform here in CT for future generations of women. Where women can unite under one roof in celebration of themselves, and one another, and to remember other great women who have come before us. Let us learn, get inspired, network, and lend a helping hand to each other as sisters. That's what March 8th is all about,” explained D’Alessandro. 

Rusa D'Alessandro,
   head mistress and founder, 
Middletown Art Academy,
The North End Gallery Walk  

When women join forces amazing things can happen. It’s all about networking and reaching out to each other. Rusa along with local artist and producer JCherry have teamed up to make this year’s International Women’s Day a special event. JCherry is the producer of, VOICE of the CITY a popular radio show airing on WESU 88.1FM, The Middletown Music Festival, JCherryPresents.com, and manages her band, JCherry & The Strawberries. They released their first album, "In The Belly Of The Beast" last spring.  “ I am a writer, broadcaster, artist, and mother. I work in music and broadcasting. Historically men have dominated the music and broadcasting industry. Things have changed over the last few decades. But there is still a lot of inequality in pay and the treatment of women. We need to progress further. I want my daughters to have a level playing field where gender doesn’t matter, only your skills and talents do,” explained JCherry.

JCherry

 artist, producer, emcee, 

VOICE of the CITY, WESU 88.1FM

Middletown Music Festival

wesufm.org 

According to D’Alessandro, the time is now, more than ever, to educate, to share, and to positively inspire and encourage woman of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life. This year the International Women's Day 2015 theme is:  MAKE IT HAPPEN. The local speakers exemplify, MAKE IT HAPPEN, on daily basis. All around the world, International Women's Day represents an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women while calling for greater equality. MAKE IT HAPPEN is a means to encouragee effective action for advancing and recognizing women. Connecticut is a melting pot of empowered women.

Special Guests: 


1.Kate Drew -  Educator at Renbrook School in West Harford, CT 


2.Bobbye Knoll Peterson- Executive Director at North End Action Team https://www.facebook.com/NEATMI 


3. Michele Rock - Social Services 


4. Cassandra Day - Editor, Middletown Press, www.middletownpress.com  


5. Floresia V Allen - Allen’s Abatement Services and Founder S.W.E.E.T Potato Society Inc 501(c)3 Sisters Working, Educating & Evolving Together and N.A.W.I.C Region 1 Member at Large New England 


6. Teresa Rogers - artist, curator, event planner , DIY’er · at Studio 4 Stafford Springs, Connecticut 
http://trogersartist.wix.com/trogersart#!about/c240r


7. Alicea Charamut - Connecticut River Watershed Council 
http://www.ctriver.org/about-us/staff/ 


8. Amy LaBossiere – Still Waters , The Art of Tao LaBossiere https://www.facebook.com/artoftaoArtist 

9. Marguax Hays ,Vocalist/Performance Artist 


10. The Rev. Julia Burkey- Pastor http://www.firstchurchmiddletown.org/pastor/ 


11. Sandra Russo-Driska - Sandra James Boutique 
https://www.facebook.com/sandrajamesboutique

12. 
Erica Lynn Hulme, singer/songwriter, artist, tattoo artist, http://www.awesometattooshop.com/erica-lynn

13. Cindy Witter, www.24peace.com

14.  JCherry aka Jennifer Shafer Wood, www.jcherrypresents.com

15. Rusa D’Alessandro, Middletown Art Academy 




Suggested Donation of $15, please. Part of your donation will go to benefit ART ANGEL Scholarship. 
Through North End Action Team Middletown Art Academy provides economically disadvantaged children in Middletown’s North End with the opportunity for a quality, values-based, fine art education in a safe environment 
http://middletownartacademy.com/scholarship/ Raised funds would sponsor one + lucky girl (s) allowing them to follow their hearts passion by paying for their private art lessons and all art supplies at MAA. 



http://www.internationalwomensday.com/middletownconnecticutusa#.VOzfvjgR9Cv