#TheirStories: Meet our Women's Equality Day Speaker Team & How they Uplift our Communities
- Gabby Traverso
- 1 day ago
- 7 min read
by Gabriella Traverso
Women's Equality Day celebrates a key turning point in U.S. history: the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920, granting women the right to vote. Fast forward to today, and for the first time in this nation's history, women occupy over a quarter of U.S. Congressional seats. More women than men are getting their doctorates and masters, and nearly half of all mothers are the primary household breadwinners, a stark contrast to conditions a century ago. Although these are tremendous feats, the vast landscape of gender expectations, racial intersections, socioeconomic barriers, etc., continues to impact our daily lives. Alongside direct policy and restrictions, the fight for women often lies in hidden avenues, in the unspoken expectations and relationships that delegate women to passive or caretaking roles.
For our discussion on Women's Equality Day 2026, we're honing in on "Celebrating the Power of the Woman" and the intersections of personal, professional, and political spheres in a woman's life. Through resilience, intuition, and sisterhood, women have risen through arduous circumstances and continue to innovate around the globe, navigating unique turnpoints in historical and societal evolution. Misogyny and sexism weren't eradicated once we set foot in the voting booth more than a century ago, and repressive policies don't linger in government halls. The influence of autonomy, economic fairness, and civic power shows up in our everyday lives, and it's through the power of the woman who rallies our communities and shouts to the very top what we want, what we demand, and what we fight for.
Our speakers, moderator, and facilitator are here to ask the question: "What about you?" What power do you see around you, what conflicts do we need to focus on, and what can we all do to support each other's needs? All local Toledo leaders, these wonderful women are coming together to illustrate how these forces play a role in our everyday lives, and how self-reflection plays a key role in building gender equity.
Meet our speaker team for Women's Equality Day 2026!
Dr. Suzette R. Cowell - The Professional
Founder, CEO & Treasurer of Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union
Dr. Suzette R. Cowell is a transformational leader, visionary strategist, and community change agent with more than five decades of experience in the financial services industry. As Founder, President/CEO, and Treasurer of the Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union (TUFCU), she has been the driving force behind one of Northwest Ohio’s most impactful community development financial institutions, dedicated to expanding economic opportunity and financial inclusion for underserved populations. In 2026, TUFCU proudly marks 30 years of service, a testament to her enduring leadership and commitment to community empowerment.
Under Dr. Cowell’s leadership, TUFCU has grown from a grassroots initiative into a thriving, multi-million-dollar institution, serving thousands of members while catalyzing neighborhood revitalization and wealth-building initiatives across the Toledo community. Her work has consistently centered on dismantling systemic barriers, fostering economic empowerment, and creating sustainable pathways for generational prosperity.
Dr. Cowell’s extraordinary contributions to the City of Toledo and the neighborhoods TUFCU serves have also earned her the highest recognition from the city. In 2026, Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz presented Dr. Cowell with the Key to the City of Toledo, recognizing her decades of service, leadership, and transformative impact throughout the community. Mayor Kapszukiewicz also presented an official proclamation declaring July 18, 2026, “Dr. Suzette R. Cowell Day” in the City of Toledo, honoring her lasting contributions to the city and the countless individuals and families whose lives have been strengthened through her work.
In 2023, Dr. Cowell was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Public Service from the University of Toledo, recognizing her decades of transformative impact in community development, financial education, and civic leadership. She also holds advanced theological credentials, including a Doctorate in Theology and a Master’s in Divinity, reflecting her commitment to faith-driven service and holistic community advancement.
A proven innovator, Dr. Cowell has secured and led multi-million-dollar initiatives that bridge public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Her recent work includes advancing plans for a transformative community-centered development in partnership with federal and local stakeholders, launching a $3 million home repair loan program targeting high-risk borrowers, and leading the revitalization of Toledo’s historic Dorr Street corridor through entrepreneurship, access to capital, and strategic partnerships.
Dr. Cowell is also the creative force behind Toledo’s long-running African American Festival and Toledo Urban Music Festival, now celebrating 21 years, an annual weekend-long event that has drawn tens of thousands of attendees and served as a cornerstone for cultural unity, economic activity, and community pride.
Her influence extends beyond financial services into regional and national leadership. Dr. Cowell is a former Board Member of the Lucas County Children Services Board and currently serves on the boards of Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union, the Toledo Port Authority, Toledo Urban Foundation, Inc., Inclusiv, and the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce. She also serves as Chairwoman of the Dorr Street Coalition, leading efforts focused on economic revitalization and community development, and contributes her expertise nationally as a member of the Federal Reserve Advisory Council.
Throughout her career, Dr. Cowell has received numerous honors, including the Sojourner Truth “Champion for Change” Award, the NAACP Business Honoree Award, the YMCA Milestone Award for Business, and the Toledo Museum of Art Changemaker Award, among many others.
Grounded in faith, purpose, and service, Dr. Cowell leads with compassion, integrity, and a deep commitment to family and community. Her legacy is defined by inclusive growth, institutional transformation, and an enduring impact on the economic and social fabric of the communities she serves.
Dr. Cowell’s legacy is defined by her unwavering commitment to service, her ability to challenge and transform systems, and her enduring impact on the economic and social fabric of her community. Through her leadership, she continues to inspire a model of inclusive growth, empowerment, and purpose-driven innovation.
Ashley Bush - The Personal
MSW, LISW-S, PMH-C
Owner & Executive Director of Bloom Women's Counseling, Consulting, and Wellness, LLC.
Ashley Bush is the owner of Bloom Women’s Counseling, Consulting, and Wellness, LLC. Ashley is passionate about the mental health and wellness of women and female-identifying individuals. She holds a master's degree in Social Work, is licensed independently in the state of Ohio, and has a certificate in perinatal mental health.
Beyond her clinical work, Ashley has been mentoring and supervising professionals since 2012, helping the next generation of leaders grow. With over a decade of therapeutic work and advocacy experience, she brings a vital perspective on personal wellness and growth.
When asked what personal power meant to her, she said, "Personal power means standing in my truth, values, and authenticity in all areas of my life, every day."
Dr. Brittany Jones - The Political
Councilwoman At-Large and Scholar-Activist
Councilwoman Dr Brittany Jones has always been for and of the community. She is a self-dubbed “community baby,” due to her lifelong engagement with public service. This evolved into an advocacy and nonprofit career where she served as the Senior Director of Evaluation & Impact at the United Way of Greater Toledo, and now as a Toledo City Councilperson.
With a background in nonprofit, academia, and now government, she calls herself a ‘Scholar-Activist’ because she wants her work to be used to inform equitable policy and development, especially surrounding food system resilience. This work has led to many community partnerships and opportunities, such as serving as the Chair of the Ohio Food Policy Network (OFPN), founding advisory board member of the Black Food and Farming Network (BFFN), and Chair of the Urban Agriculture Alliance of Lucas County.
As a Councilmember, she serves as Chair of the community development, Housing, and Public Health committee, co-chair of the Sustainability & Beautification committee, and member of various committees such as Finance, Community & Administrative, and Business Innovation.
To quote Angela Davis, "I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept."
Dr. Angie Fitzpatrick - Event Moderator
Leadership and Workplace Culture Strategist of Angie Fitzpatrick Consulting, LLC.
Dr. Angie Fitzpatrick is a leadership and workplace culture consultant who helps leaders build healthier, more effective workplaces. With nearly two decades of experience spanning higher education, nonprofit leadership, and consulting, her work has focused on leadership development, gender equity advocacy and education, and helping people navigate complex workplace dynamics. Angie has a particular passion for women’s leadership and self-advocacy, equipping women to recognize their strengths, use their voices, and lead with greater confidence and impact. She is the founder of Angie Fitzpatrick Consulting and also serves as Executive Director of the MultiFaith Council of Northwest Ohio.
To quote Audre Lorde, "When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid."
Malaika Bell - Event Facilitator
Founder and Lead Facilitator of Mosaic Strategic Solutions, LLC.
Malaika Bell is the Founder and Lead Facilitator of Mosaic Strategic Solutions, LLC., where she is dedicated to helping groups and organizations build connected, thriving communities. With a background in higher education, diversity leadership, and organizational culture transformation, Malaika’s work is grounded in fostering authentic connection, belonging, and personal growth within families, teams and groups (“communities”). She is known for her dynamic, authentic leadership and intuitive approach, she blends evidence-based strategies with ancestral practices to create transformative experiences that inspire lasting change.
When asked what power means to her, she said, "The power of women is not only in what we can accomplish on our own. It is in what becomes possible when we know our worth, use our voices, and create space for other women to do the same.”
August 26th, 2026 marks the NWO 8th Annual Women's Equality Day. Our event focuses on "Celebrating the Power of the Woman," where we focus on the personal, professional, and political influences on women today. Learn more about this event here.
To find out more about Women's Equality Day and our past programs, learn more here.
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