Lucas County will give 13 community organizations more than $700,000 to continue to carry out their missions, the commissioners said at a news conference Tuesday morning. “In the last few years, we’ve taken the position that wise expenditures of our county money is to invest in community grass roots organizations,” Lucas County Commissioner Pete Gerken said. “Many times organizations aren’t big enough to qualify for federal or state money. They’re really doing the people’s work in specific areas. We know the challenges. These organizations are building stronger communities all around the county.”

highlighted by WTOL.

The 7th Annual Northwest Ohio International Women's Day Luncheon highlighted by WTOL.

Knowing the weight of untold stories that yearn to be told, to be released, Maya Angelou once said: “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” The Women of Toledo believe that telling a good story is an amazing way to inspire inclusion, connection, empathy, and understanding between people. Appropriately, the theme of the seventh annual International Women’s Day Luncheon was “#InspireInclusion: one story at a time.”

“Our mission atWomen of Toledo is to educate, engage, and empower women, but today we are spending some time empowering our young girls,” said KathrynTucker, the president of the Women of Toledo board. “These young women built these chairs because we’ve taught them that you have to build your own seat at the table.”Women of Toledo unveiled its Girls Hub exhibition, "A Seat at the Table," during a news conference Monday in the Macy’s wing of Franklin Park Mall in West Toledo. Girls' Hub, a division of Women of Toledo, is a science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) program for girls and young women ages 12 to 17.Led by woodworking instructor Julia LaBay, a group of young female "builders" met for two weeks of hands-on training to learn how to safely use power tools to build and design a chair

Phenomenal Black women who have demonstrated leadership were acknowledged during a networking event held on Thursday, February 22, 2024. Women of Toledo in collaboration with TolHouse, Northwest Ohio Business Mentoring Program and Toledo African American Chamber of Commerce organized the event that welcomed a full house of interested ladies who wanted to receive mentoring from the 16 women.

“Thank you for being here,” began Sierra Ortiz, Women of Toledo associate director. “What an amazing turnout. At Women of Toledo our mission is to educate, engage and empower. I also want to thank and acknowledge our founding members, our partners and staff.”

he Toledo Lucas County Public Library (TLCPL) collaborated with Welcome Toledo-Lucas County (TLC), Women of Toledo (WOT) and SAME Café Toledo to celebrate Black History. The February 10 event was held at the downtown library inside of the café.

“Thank you for coming here today,” began Mely Arribas-Douglas, TLC Specialists. “Today we’re celebrating black history.”

“At Women of Toledo our mission is to educate, engage and empower,” began Sierra Ortiz, WOT Associate Director. “We’re happy to be here, volunteer and partner today. We support programs like this that are important to the community.”

Traeonna from Kimono Kitsune talks traditional Japanese fashion ahead of the Women of Toledo Intercultural Global Gala.

 A standout event that shared women's stories was the Women of Toledo program and luncheon to celebrate International Women's Day on March 8.

​

The Toledo Blade highlights Women of Toledo's initiative for International Women's Day.

TOLEDO – Monday is Worldwide Macaron Day, and So Sweet Pastries, 4038 Talmadge Road, is celebrating.

For a donation to the No Women Left Behind Scholarship fund, the bakery will give donors a free macaron. The event will begin at 10 a.m. and will run until the 300 pastries are gone.

NBC24 highlights Women of Toledo's International Women's Day initiative.

Business tips, support and friendships from programs

The energy in the room is palpable, and you really want to be a part of this. More than 60 women are moving from table to table in a speed networking exercise to help them formulate an “elevator pitch” (a brief description of you and your work) for themselves. And while the final product (the elevator pitch) is a great take-away from this exercise, the real benefit is the fellowship, friendship and camaraderie the participants are building.

13ABC features the So Sweet Pastries fundraiser for Women of Toledo in conjunction with National Macaron Day! 

THE TOLEDO area has a host of community supporters.

WOMEN are still abuzz about Women of Toledo's celebration of International Women's Day, March 8, at the Hilton Garden Inn Toledo Downtown.

The 300 women representing 17 countries world wide, many who dressed in the "costume" of their country, perused the International display of portraits, fashions, and dolls. Then everyone sat for a tasty lunch.

Women of Toledo vice president Kathy Tucker welcomed everyone, and managing director Nina Corder acknowledged the list of supporters including presenting sponsor Dana. 

TOLEDO – Monday is Worldwide Macaron Day, and So Sweet Pastries, 4038 Talmadge Road, is celebrating. For a donation to the No Women Left Behind Scholarship fund, the bakery will give donors a free macaron. The event will begin at 10 a.m. and will run until the 300 pastries are gone. A limited edition Women of Toledo-inspired macaron pack also will be available for six for $15.

“Customers are encouraged to come and sample these delicious macarons, a delicate French sandwich cookie made from almond flour and joined together with a ganache, buttercream or jam frosting filling,” said the bakery, which has observed Worldwide Macaron Day for the past four years. Other observances take place in Paris, New York and Chicago.

Sierra Ortiz from Women of Toledo and Aalaa Eldeib from So Sweet Lebanese & French Bakery celebrate Women's History Month and Macaron Day.

The Toledo Blade features our HerHub initative!

The City of Toledo observed International Women’s Day on Wednesday, March 8, as hundreds gathered for a luncheon forum presented by the Women of Toledo at the Hiltons at Toledo Downtown. In collaboration with Dana, Inc, Women of Toledo acknowledged the global day – a day for celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also is a call to action for accelerating gender equity.

This was the sixth year that Women of Toledo has organized the International Women’s Day.

The Congressional Office for International Leadership (formerly known as the Open World Leadership Center), an agency of the U.S. Congress, will send a delegation of women entrepreneurs and community leaders from Moldova to Toledo from March 10 to 18. The delegation consists of five professionals and will be accompanied by a bicultural/lingual facilitator and an interpreter. Great Lakes Community Action Partnership/Great Lakes Consortium for International Training and Development (GLCAP/GLC) will host the delegation during their stay in Toledo.

TOLEDO, Ohio — The Women of Toledo organization held an event at the Hilton Garden Inn downtown Wednesday to celebrate International Women's Day.

​

Roughly 300 people came to celebrate the day and hear from speakers who have seen oppression firsthand.

​

Toledo resident Negarina Cooper was one of the event's speakers and was raised in Iran before fleeing the country at 23 years old to speak out against oppression she faced in the Middle East.

Every day, Women of Toledo is looking for ways to expand rights for women and girls while reinforcing their impact on the world.

​

But there are hardly more apt days than during Women's History Month.

​

The City of Toledo has a slew of events celebrating and empowering women throughout March, kicking off with the annual International Women's Day forum in the Hiltons at Downtown Toledo. Sign up at womenoftoledo.org/events/annual-forum-international-womens-day.

TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) - March is Women’s History Month, and one local organization is looking to educate, engage, and empower women in our area.

Women of Toledo started as a focus group in 2014 when Nina Corder decided she wanted to study more about community organizations and how they were structured. The group grew into something much bigger when its participants saw the need for a woman-based organization that would focus on economic development and inclusion. “We found that within networking groups, you tend to see a lot of the same type of people, but obviously, in Downtown Toledo and in the surrounding area, we have a lot of underserved and underrepresented communities,” said Women of Toledo Associate Director Sierra Ortiz.

TOLEDO, Ohio - Some of our favorite women in business including our very own Managing Director, Nina Corder featured in this special edition of the City Paper sharing how to keep this city healthy, balanced, creative, and prosperous share what they’ve learned in their careers and their lives allowing us to benefit from their wisdom, inspiration, and expertise.

TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) -The Northwest Ohio Women’s Business Council will announce its first Women’s Entrepreneurial Distinction Ovation Award program, Thursday. The announcement will take place at 11:30 a.m. at the Wildwood Preserve Metroparks’s Ward Pavilion. The Northwest Ohio Women’s Business Council was established by Women of Toledo, in honor of 2022′s Women’s History Month and the #HerStory campaign. According to a statement released by the Northwest Ohio Women’s Business Council and Women of Toledo, the Women’s Entrepreneurial Distinction Ovation program is designed to promote entrepreneurship by acknowledging the diverse entrepreneurs in the Toledo area.

TOLEDO, Ohio — Women of Toledo held its fourth annual Northwest Ohio Women's Equality Day, which is dedicated to advancing women's equality. National Women's Equality Day celebrates women's suffrage, which was ratified in 1920 with the 19th Amendment."102 years later, we have a woman serving as Vice President in the White House," Dr. Angie Fitzpatrick, the director of the University of Toledo Eberly Center for Women, said. "We can see the gender wage gap is decreasing, women are outpacing men in education. However, we've also seen a rollback of some of our rights. We know that there are still ways in which the U.S. is not equitable with other industrialized nations."

TOLEDO, Ohio — Angela Fitzpatrick, the University of Toledo's director of the Catharine S. Eberly Center for Women, has a strong passion for women's equality and wants to show women how they can make a difference today. "Women's Equality Day is such an important day," Fitzpatrick said. "It's a way of marking how far we've come." Friday marked the 102nd anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which first gave women the right to vote. Fitzpatrick and her students joined forces with the Women of Toledo's 2022 Northwest Ohio Women's Equality Day.

TOLEDO, Ohio - August 22, 2022

Presented by the Huntington Bank, Women of Toledo and UToledo Eberly Center for Women have organized the 4th annual Northwest Ohio Women’s Equality Day Celebration with a community dialogue on the theme: Stay Furious, Build Power. The event takes place on August 26, 2022, from 11 am to 1 pm at The Summit, 23 N Summit Street in Downtown Toledo. 

TOLEDO, Ohio - August 23, 2022

Celebrate Women's Equality Day in downtown Toledo on Friday and advocate for women's rights and equality at a Summit Street event.

TOLEDO, Ohio - July 14, 2022

In downtown Toledo, the Young Women Of Toledo's Girls Hub office is where Monique Ward-Redmond beams at her daughter, Maysun Harris. Harris participated in Fearless Builders, one of the city's free camps.  "It got me to do something during my summer since it was very boring," Harris said.

Harris, along with 24 other girls, each built a work of art using their own two hands. She said they used construction tools to build something they otherwise would not be able to, making it a worthwhile camp.

"It was us expressing ourselves into the chair. and that's what we got to do, so it was very fun," Harris said.

TOLEDO, Ohio - June 28, 2022 (WTVG) -Women of Toledo have created a summer program to empower young girls to explore the world of STEM. Girls Hub is a pop-up STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) summer program for girls and young women ages 12 to 17. The program offers a dedicated workspace in design and construction, through classes in carpentry, architecture, and art. The intensive four-session of one-week-long summer programs teaches girls, and young women how to use tools, build real-world projects and connect with their community. This week the girls are building chairs to create their own seats at the table. Mary Brucker, a member of Women of Toledo’s Board of Directors, said the goal is to empower women to create their own place in life.

TOLEDO, Ohio - June 26, 2022 - The Blade

AFFAIRS: Art, Food & Fashion Appreciating Immigrants and Refugees was on June 14 at the Glass City Metropark. It was scheduled in line with Immigrant Heritage Month. The outdoor family event was presented by Women of Toledo with the support of the HerHub Business Network and partners: Metroparks Toledo, Toledo’s Department of Diversity & Inclusion, Buckeye Broadband, Mansour Wealth Management, Real Good Ventures, and the Northwest Ohio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

TOLEDO, Ohio - March 21, 2022

Women were celebrated for historic tenacity while new commitments were made to bolster equal opportunities for women in business during a special event Monday morning at the Toledo Museum of Art in honor of Women’s History Month.

​

“It says that Toledo understands that you are connected to global affairs and no matter what progress has already been made, a CEDAW city [Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women] is always ready to do more,” Ms. Yoon said.

TOLEDO, Ohio - March 20, 2022

A standout event that shared women's stories was the Women of Toledo program and luncheon to celebrate International Women's Day on March 8. International Women's Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women and a call to action for accelerating gender parity. This year's international theme is #BreakThe Bias, celebrating women's accomplishments and raising awareness of bias that still presents a challenge for many women.

The event, presented by Dana Inc., was at the Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion. Starting things off was a greeting presentation by local language ambassadors, who spoke in German, Mandarin, Spanish, Arabic, French, Hindi, Bahasa Indonesian, Bahasa Melayu, Filipino/Tagalog, Russian/Tatar, Turkish, and Ukrainian. It was like a grand parade as the women came to the podium and introduced themselves.

TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG)  - March 17, 2022

Eliminating discrimination against women has a new boost of energy thanks to new resources from the city of Toledo. New standards are being adopted and a staff member will soon be hired to look closer at solutions.

​

The work begins by identifying the inequities and then making sure everyone is aware of them and start that conversation for people who are not aware.

Jera’s Heavenly Sweet on Bancroft Street by the University of Toledo is a woman owned small business success story. But women locally and across the country don’t always have success when it comes to things like equal pay.

​

“We know that women have about 83 percent of the income of men in this city and all over the United States so we’re hoping to shorten that gap,” said Ardenia Jones Terry, Commission Member.

 TOLEDO, Ohio (NBC) — The Northwest Ohio Business Mentoring Program is fully up and running after a pilot launch in 2020 that gradually grew throughout 2021.

Started by Women of Toledo, the Northwest Ohio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Toledo African American Chamber of Commerce and JumpStart, the program has since served 22 mentees with 25 mentors and is looking to continue adding more businesses.

TOLEDO, Ohio (WTOL)  - October 28, 2021

There is a movement in Toledo with the goal of empowering women who are small business owners. It's known as the HeForShe, and it's a solidarity movement for gender equality. Women and men gathered at the Toledo Museum of Art's Glass Pavilion on Wednesday during National Women's Small Business Month.

The HeForShe movement invites men and boys to build on the work of the women's movement as equal partners. In a room filled with several business owners, that's exactly what their counterparts did. 

TOLEDO, Ohio (WTOL) - July 21, 2021. - 

Several Toledo area organizations are coming together, launching a program where business owners can inspire others on their own journey.

The Northwest Ohio Business Mentoring Program has officially kicked off its second year. Toledo-area business owners stepping up to mentor the next generation. The Northwest Ohio Business Mentoring Program has officially launched for its second year.

TOLEDO, Ohio (The Blade) - July 21, 2021. - A recent study by the Boston Consulting Group highlights how diversity within a workforce increases a company's bottom line. In Greater Toledo, women needed a dedicated community of resources that were easily accessible. That’s why I created HerHub with other women leaders to connect women to local resources through an online platform, or “Hub.” The mission of HerHub is to focus on women’s empowerment activities, social progress efforts, and economic development.

TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) - May 23, 2021. - After a wave of crimes against Asian-Americans over the last year, Toledoans are coming together to condemn hatred and celebrate Asian culture. Toledo’s first Asian Heritage Festival was a sold-out success on Saturday at Bombay Kitchen on Monroe.

TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) - May 22, 2021 - During Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Xinren Yu, assistant director of the Center for International Studies and Programs, discusses the increase in federal hate crimes.

TOLEDO, Ohio- May 13, 2021. Sojourner's Truth On Saturday, May 22, 2021, from 1 pm to 6:30 pm, Women of Toledo, with the support of the HerHub Business Network, will be presenting an IN-PERSON festival: ‘Art, Food & Fun’: A showcase of various local Asian-owned businesses and restaurants in celebration of Asian Heritage Month (AHM).

TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) - April 8, 2021. Nina Corder, the founder and managing director of the nonprofit Woman of Toledo, has been named the 2021 Jefferson Award winner in Toledo. The award is presented by 13abc, The Blade, and Buckeye Broadband. Corder was among four finalists. She will represent the region in Washington D.C. later this year, with a chance to become a national winner. The Jefferson Awards honors individuals for outstanding public service.

TOLEDO, Ohio — Feb 22, 2021. African American women in Toledo are leaving their mark. WTOL’s Amanda Fay interviews Izzy Nelson, Fearfully and Wonderfully Made, and HerHub member. HerHub connecting local Black women to businesses.

TOLEDO, Ohio — A Toledo non-profit is highlighting local Hispanic women leaders in our community.

It's an initiative during Hispanic Heritage month that aims to build a network of mentors.

"Our culture is more than just tacos and margaritas," said Guisselle Mendoza McDonald the director of Operations for the Lucas County Treasurer. "It's about music and wardrobe and food of course."

Empowerment. Promotion. Community. These are the aims of HerHub, a newly-launched online community of local women-owned businesses by Women of Toledo.

HerHub seeks to help women promote their business by networking and collaborating with a diverse group of entrepreneurs.

“Its mission is to empower women through economic development, increased visibility, and increasing network,” said Jonelle Massey, Board Liaison of HerHub. She further emphasized the need for an easily accessible, one-space directory for all women-owned businesses and organizations in Toledo.

Women of Toledo (WoT) is excited to announce our latest program initiative, HerHub!!! HerHub is an online hub that provides information and streamlines access to women-owned local businesses and nonprofits. This is the first of its kind in Toledo, OH. In response to the pandemic and social injustices, HerHub is committed to serving and supporting Toledo's diverse female business owners and community leaders via our online resources, online networking events, and social media marketing for local women-owned businesses in order for them to sustain during these uncertain times. Press Release here. 

​

The Toledo Blade, July 31, 2020 : HerHub program boosts women-owned businesses

The Toledo City Paper, August 25, 2020: HerHub spotlights Toledo Businesses owned by Women

The women of Toledo are hosting a weekly power hour series to support and uplift women in our community during these times of uncertainty. Jenna Lento talked details with WOT Managing Director Nina Corder. Subscribe to WTOL11: https://bit.ly/32odAkM

5 Virtual Events in Toledo: The Week of April 

By Athena Cocoves

​

Need something to do? Toledoans are finding new ways to connect from a distance. Women of Toledo, a group of area women community leaders and advocates, host a variety of Virtual Power Hour sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays at noon. In April, the series focuses on creativity. On April 14, join Zarinah El-Amin Naeem for a discussion about the new Netflix series called Self Made. On April 16, join Sierra Ortiz for a session about connecting with your family. You must RSVP to attend a session. For more information, as well as additional sessions and dates, visit womenoftoledo.org. 

​

The UToledo women are resilient and we are honored to highlight their stories through the Nevertheless She Persisted campaign! 

Thank you, The Catharine S. Eberly Center for Women team for this great #ECWePersist campaign! Nevertheless, our Founder & Managing Director, Nina Corder is persistent when it comes to advocating on issues that critical to women’s economic advancement and interrupt various biases!

​

​

​

That sentiment is the central idea behind HeForShe, an international UN campaign for solidarity that began in 2014. Women of Toledo (WOT), an area advocacy group which also launched that year, is also focused on encouraging women’s economic empowerment. Nina Corder, managing director and one of the founders of WOT, was selected as a UN Champion for Change in 2016. She began to bring UN Women empowerment programs to Toledo— including HeForShe.

“I was working with United Nations Women, with a focal point in New York City, to really create and do advocacy here locally for women’s economic empowerment. That is one of Women of Toledo’s flagship programs, that we still do today,” Corder said.

A group of local women will be honored as part of '419 Women are Rad' night at an upcoming Walleye game. These women don't ask for any recognition, but deserve it. 

​

"Women who are empowered do empower other people. I figured 'women is rad' is something about strong women that are doing amazing stuff," said nominee and Women of Toledo Founder, Nina Corder. 

​

​Nina Corder is one of the six women being honored as women who are rad in the 419. 

​

The Toledo Opera Guild, working in partnership with Women of Toledo and several other organizations, celebrates International Women’s Day on March 8th from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Pinnacle in Maumee. Tickets ($35) include a luncheon, at noon, with informative speakers.

​

The gathering will also showcase educational booths, activities for young women, entertainment, and generational photos. Demonstrating that an equal world is an enabled world, lead by individual actions, challenging stereotypes, fighting bias, broadening perceptions and celebrating the achievements of women.

​

The 2020 theme #EachforEqual – Celebrating Ordinary Women doing Extraordinary Things brings together NW Ohio organizations honoring generations of women who have worked toward equality.

International Women’s Day, a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women,has been observed since 1911.The Toledo Opera Guild, working in partnership with Women of Toledo and several other organizations, celebrates International Women’s Day on March 8th from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Pinnacle in Maumee. 

​

The gathering will also showcase educational booths, activities for young women, entertainment, and generational photos. Demonstrating that an equal world is an enabled world, lead by individual actions, challenging stereotypes, fighting bias, broadening perceptions and celebrating the achievements of women.

The 2020 theme #EachforEqual – Celebrating Ordinary Women doing Extraordinary Things brings together NW Ohio organizations honoring generations of women who have worked toward equality.

The monthly events are designed like a speed dating with tables set for two. But instead of seeking romance, women are seeking mentor-mentee relationships. 

Life is full of endless possibilities, but one thing is for certain;  change is inevitable. 

​

And while there are some people who have mastered to embrace change, others may need help grasping it.

That's why the Women of Toledo organization  kicked off their monthly Mentors of (M.O.M.) event, where the two types of people can meet and learn from each other. 

Women of Toledo Zain Omair,

UT:10 News Reporter

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

​

The University of Toledo's student-produced weekly newscast highlighting events & sports on the UT campus.

Young ladies ages 15 to 26, you're invited to the Young Woman of Toledo Summer Picnic! Young Women of Toledo (YWOT) is an opportunity for diverse young females ages 15 to 26 to share, discuss and debate constructively to help build empowerment. The group strives to emulate our three pillars to Educate, Engage and Empower through diversity & inclusion while advocating for women’s economic empowerment. 

​

Are you interested to learn about Young Women of Toledo (YWOT) or would you like to join our 2019/2020 Young Women of Toledo Cohorts group?

​

VISIT: www.womenoftoledo.org/ywot

​

In addition, you will have the opportunity to meet our YWOT Facilitator/Mediator, Coach and Mentor team. 

Women of Toledo held a Women Economic Empowerment Power Hour Luncheon on International Women's Day and the Daily Downtown was there to capture an inspirational message.

TOLEDO, OH (13 Action News) Women of Toledo hosted a special luncheon to celebrate International Women's Day.

​

13abc's Kristian Brown was honored to serve as the moderator of a panel discussion about gender balance in the workplace.

The theme was Balance for Better.

Articles by Jeff McGinnis, Jason Webber, Sonny Forrest, and Athena Cocoves.

​

Progress starts with an idea, but not every idea gives rise to a movement. Passion, hard work, compassion and courage transform an idea into something more. While we are all capable of crossing the line between “concept” and “change,” not all of us take the extra step to allow our ideas to reach their full impact. As the philosopher Alfred North Whitehead once said, “Ideas won’t keep. Something must be done about them.”

​

Meet eleven Toledoans who have done something about their ideas and put into motion something bigger than themselves.

Article by Barbara Hendel with The Blade.

​

TOLEDO - WHAT’S Your Heritage? Fourteen countries were represented during The Women of Toledo’s 3rd Annual Intercultural Gala and Fashion Show at The Pinnacle in Maumee. The event showcased the great diversity that Toledo has in the way of ethnic food, fashion, and friendships.

Local models wore traditional attire from all over the world. Emcee Katie Maskey, the former Mrs. Ohio 2015 and the newly titled National Mrs. Captivating 2019, kept the evening moving.

Among the 175 attendees, many in their own ethnic garb, were event chairmen Reena Dar and Hyfah Hilou. International foods included La Fiesta Mexican Restaurant, Zoup!, Middle East Market, The Pinnacle, The Displaced Chef, Sidon Lebanese Grille and Bakery, Take the Cake Bakery & Cake Design Shop, Sahara Restaurant, and Yala Kol.

Women of Toledo had its 3rd Intercultural Gala and Fashion Show on Tuesday, October 23, 2018 at The Pinnacle in Maumee, Ohio.  The Intercultural Gala was a fundraiser for the Women of Toledo to provide cross-cultural education and interaction, which leads to global understanding, innovation and a more inclusive community. 

By Nicki Gorny | BLADE STAFF WRITER

​

Expect a global perspective at the Pinnacle on Tuesday, where models will strut down a runway in the traditional garb of India, Pakistan, China, Colombia, Russia, Egypt, Liberia, and more.

​

But global is also local, as the models themselves will attest: They’re local women, each of whom will walk in the structured styles or loose-flowing fabrics that reflect their own heritage.

​

“We’re showcasing all the diversity within our own community,” said Reena Dar, who co-chairs the event with Hyfah Hilou.

Toledo, Ohio – Welcoming Week 2018 is September 14-23, and Women of Toledo, in partnership with Welcome Toledo-Lucas County (TLC), is hosting a community picnic to recognize immigrant contributions to our communities. Building on our desire to learn from and about our community members, and incorporating our belief that diversity is more than skin deep; our goal for this community picnic is to bring together immigrants, refugees, expatriates and U.S.-born residents in a spirit of unity to build strong connections across the community and affirm the benefits of welcoming everyone – including new Americans. 

Just over 4 percent of Ohioans were born in another country, with 3.7 percent of Lucas County’s population representing foreign-born residents. While well below the U.S. share of 13.2 percent, the greater Toledo area demonstrates a growing population of immigrants.

In Bowling Green, the share of foreign-born residents represents 5 percent. In Perrysburg, 4.7 percent. In Sylvania, 4.2 percent. And in Toledo— the percent of foreign-born Toledoans grew from 2.8 percent to 3.7 percent between 2000 and 2014.

​

To our new neighbors, we say: “أهلا وسهلا,” “bienvenido,” “欢迎,” and “welcome.”

March is Women's History Month. Women of Inclusive Inc : Women of Toledo are celebrating with various events.

State Rep. Teresa Fedor (D., Toledo) delivers her opening remarks during the Women Economic Empowerment Power Hour luncheon Thursday, March 8, 2018, at the Oliver House in Toledo.

In celebration of World Hijab Day, Women of Toledo, WoT, will hold a Panel Forum, Thursday, February 1, 2018, from 5:00 -7:30 p.m. at the West Toledo Public Library, Sylvania Ave., Toledo.

Toledo area women leaders shared their thoughts on leadership and “Feminine Genius” at Notre Dame Academy as part of the student-led symposium “Embracing Our Feminine Genius”!

Posted By: David Dupont 

​

From Association of Fundraising Professionals – Northwest Ohio Chapter. As a young woman herself, 22-year-old Afreen Alvi is working to help other young women find their leadership gifts through the Women of Toledo organization.

Corder said, “I believe it is our responsibility to guide the youth in our community and share our wisdom. I believe women chose to participate in a group because of the significance of similarity to coexist, to feel belonging, to be mentor and a mentee to others. Our leaders at Women of Toledo enjoy challenging the status -quo and creating program that are specifically designed to be inclusive, diverse and inviting to everyone. And our hope as an organization for this strategy effort to be part of our legacy.”

UN Women's Empower Women is pleased to nominate the 2016-2017 Champions for Change, representing a diverse group of dynamic and enthusiastic women and men from the private sector, civil society, academia and national and international organizations from both developing and developed countries. 

​

The nomination of the 170 Champions is the result of a month long online rally with almost 4,000 applicants from all over the world. 

Judge Lisa D. McGowan of Lucas County Domestic Relations Court, center left, and Toledo Mayor Paula Hicks-Hudson talk with Nina Corder, co-founder of Women of Toledo and educational chair for the American Association of University Women, during the local observance of Equal Pay Day at the Secor Building downtown.