For the ninth consecutive year, the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library at 1 Lafayette Square will host the local kickoff of March as Women’s History Month on Thursday, March 1 at 4 p.m. The public is urged to attend and the event is free.

The kickoff celebration will include remarks by local dignitaries, readings of original work by Just Buffalo Literary Center Writing Center students, and the awarding of the annual “Woman of Courage, Compassion and Commitment” honor. This year’s recipient will be Betty Jean Grant, the recently retired Erie County Legislator and past Legislative chairwoman. Serving in the public realm since 1999 also as a member of Buffalo’s Common Council, a member of the Buffalo School Board, and 2017 mayoral candidate, Grant has made East Side redevelopment a priority. She is involved in her family’s East Side business and leads the advocacy group, We Are Women Warriors, which addresses solutions for local issues.

The 2018 edition of the annual Women’s History Month calendar, featuring 40 woman-themed workshops, films, performances, conferences, book talks, and presentations, will be unveiled and introduced at the kickoff. The 2018 calendar is available through the 37 Buffalo & Erie County Public Libraries, at the March 1 kickoff, and on the websites www.BuffaloLib.org and www.Erie.gov.

The Women’s History Month activities and calendar are coordinated by the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library, the Erie County Commission on the Status of Women, and the Women’s Action Coalition, comprised of representatives of the American Association of University Women-Buffalo Branch; League of Women Voters; New York State Women, Inc. Buffalo Niagara Chapter; Planned Parenthood of Central & Western NY; The Teal Project, Inc.; University at Buffalo Gender Institute; WNY Women’s Foundation; and Zonta Club of Buffalo.

For further information on Women’s History Month and related activities, please visit http://www.buffalolib.org/sites/default/files/staffs/testaj/2018%20WHM%20calendar%20final.pdf or call 716-858-8900.