Speaker Series on State of Women’s Rights Takes Place Feb. 9

The City of Beverly Hills is hosting a free speaker series called “Critical Conversations: The State of Women’s Rights in Modern Times” on Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. in the Municipal Gallery inside City Hall. Sponsored by the city’s Human Relations Commission in partnership with the Community Services Department, this speaker series invites leaders to discuss their roles in cultivating a community of greater kindness, equity, inclusion and belonging. The discussion will be moderated by Human Relations Commission Chair Noelle Freeman. There is an opportunity to ask a question for the panel upon registration, and also at the event.

“I am beyond excited to have these incredible women speak about their own special journey to becoming the leaders they are today,” said Mayor Lili Bosse. “It is so important that women continue to use their voices to speak out for equality and women rights until we no longer have to.”

The panelists include Nomsa Khalfani, Ph.D., the Co-CEO/Chief Strategy and Equity Officer of Essential Access Health. Khalfani has served on the Board of Directors for California Pan-Ethnic Health Network, and Co-Chair of the L.A. County Community Prevention and Population Health Taskforce.

Also on the panel is Tabby Refael, a journalist for the Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles. Refael served as co-founder and former executive director of 30 Years After, a non-partisan, non-profit that promotes the participation and leadership of Iranian American Jews in American civic, political, and Jewish life.

Panelist Jan Robinson Flint is Executive Director of Black Women for Wellness. Flint is committed to healing, supporting and educating black women and girls through health education, empowerment and advocacy.

The fourth panelist is Mayahuel Gomez-O’Cadiz, Director of Communications and Research for Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE). Gomez-O’Cadiz manages HOPE’s research and communications efforts with the goal of advancing the economic and political status of Latinas.

“I’m so proud of our Commission’s efforts to address women’s rights through this installment of Critical Conversations,” said Freeman.

“The future of women’s rights in this country, and around the world, weighs heavy in many of our hearts. The first step toward progress is creating a dialogue. We have a diverse group of panelists who will share their experiences and equip us with tools we need to move in the right direction.”

Reservations are strongly encouraged due to limited capacity. For more information and to RSVP, visit beverlyhills.org/criticalconversations. For questions, call 310-285-1006.