By Tihut Tamrat, Contributing Writer
International Women’s Day was commemorated on Saturday, March 8th at the Mission Hills Library honoring eight women who have made lasting contributions to San Diego. Organized by co-chairs Aster Keleta and Anne Hoiberg and emceed by Dr. Carolle Jean-Murat, first Black woman surgeon in San Diego County, the event highlighted the power and perseverance of women in shaping the community’s history and future.
The eight women are Elizabeth Lou, Founder of the Nile Sisters Development Initiative; Makeda Cheatom, Owner of the WorldBeat Multicultural Center; Aster Keleta, social advocate and leadership advisor of non-profit organizations; Anne Hoiberg, president of several non-profit organizations and past research psychologist for the Naval Health Research; Mary M. McKenzie, President of United Nations Association of San Diego; Dr. Maria B. Ugarte, Executive Director of the Bilateral Safety and Corridor Coalition that empowers victims of human trafficking; Dr. Linda M. Nolte, retired English teacher and now substitute for the San Diego Unified School District; and Nancy Cassidy, founder of San Diego Climate Mobilization Coalition.
Attendees, including community leaders and activists, gathered to recognize the honorees’ achievements in leadership, activism, and community service. Anne Hoiberg, an advocate in the non-profit sector, emphasized the importance of women’s history while continuing the fight for gender equity in San Diego, “What’s a matter with [San Diego]? Why don’t we have 4 or 5 or even 10 statues of women who have contributed so much!”, referring to the only two statues of women in San Diego, Sojourner Truth on the campus of the University of California San Diego and Kate Sessions in Balboa Park.
Dr. Marisa B. Ugarte, Executive Director of the Bilateral Safety Corridor Coalition, spoke on combating human trafficking and the vital role of women in advocacy, “The first right of a woman is the right to not have to prostitute, the second right is not to have to undergo violence and exploitation of gender inequality,” advocating for women that are exploited at such a young age at the border.
Mary M. McKenzie, President of the United Nations Association of San Diego, reflected on how local efforts connect to global gender justice movements. “Human rights is a big focus of the United Nations. The United Nations not only spotlights women’s rights, whether it’s for the ability to work or to get educated because women are facing starvation and/or horrible human rights abuses, but also shows how they are interconnected on a broader, global level.”
Aster Keleta wrapped up the event with an ode to the women who have spoken and a message for them and everybody in the room, “We should be thinking proactive, thinking about our kids, our grandchildren, what world do we want to leave for them?”
The celebration not only honored the past but also sparked discussions about the future, ensuring that the legacy of these women continues to inspire generations to come.
