March 22 - “African Woman's Day In New Jersey” Celebration CITY OF NEWARK’S AFRICAN COMMISSION HOSTS
INAUGURAL “AFRICAN WOMAN’S DAY IN NEW JERSEY” CELEBRATION
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“Vision-Courage-Hope” is theme of Women’s History Month observance;
First woman to be honored in Africa as a Senior Research Fellow in Private Law
and Former Cote d’Ivoire Minister of Justice inspires audience as keynote speaker
Newark, NJ - March 22, 2010 - Mayor Cory A. Booker, the Municipal Council and Deputy Mayor of Neighborhood Engagement
Margarita Muñiz announced that the City of Newark’s African Commission hosted the inaugural “African Woman’s Day in New Jersey”
celebration on Friday, March 19, 2010, in the Municipal Council Chamber at City Hall.
The inaugural “African Woman’s Day in New Jersey” is designed to unite women of African descent in the Garden State, to celebrate
their achievements, and to empower future generations. Themed “Vision-Courage-Hope,” the celebration also included an African
Night Fashion and Networking Gala, which was held at the Rutgers University-Newark Paul Robeson Center, on the following evening,
Saturday, March 20. Both events are part of the City of Newark’s observance of Women’s History Month.
“By launching African Woman’s Day, we are highlighting our female leaders who are continuing to lead and transform our City, State
and Nation,” Mayor Booker said in a statement. “We hope this program will help educate and inspire women of African descent from
throughout the greater Newark region, about their heritage, and provide them with the spiritual tools and strength they need to
manifest their own personal excellence.”
The keynote speaker of the event was former Cote d’Ivoire Justice Minister and law professor Jacqueline Oble. Dr. Oble is a
Professor of Law and Head of Postgraduate Studies at the University of Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire. She received her Ph.D. in 1982 from
the Jean-Moulin Lyon III University in France with First-class Honors. The following year, she became the first woman to be honored
as a Senior Research Fellow in Private Law in Africa. She has served in many academic positions at French universities, and as
Minister of Justice in Cote d’Ivoire from 1990 to 1993. From 1995 to 1999, she was a Member of the Cote d’Ivoire National Assembly.
She also expressed admiration for the work being accomplished by the Booker Administration in Newark. “This is my first visit to
Newark, and I am greatly impressed by the progress that has been made here. I want to take Newark’s best practices and particularly
its job and development programs to empower female-owned business, back to Cote d’Ivoire,” she said. “I also want to see Newark-
based companies invest in our development and get involved with our progress.”
In addition, Dr. Oble called for stronger personal connections between Africa and Newark, calling for increased sister-city
relationships between communities in the two countries, as well as more student exchange programs. “When students go overseas,
they become more appreciative of what they have at home, and work to better those environments,” she said.
Other speakers included St. Barnabas Vice President for Policy Development and Government Affairs Michellene Davis; Million
Woman Universal Movements President General Sister Empress Phile’ Chionesu; Newark Public Schools Advisory Board Member
Barbara King; and South African women’s rights activist Mandisa Monakali.
“The African Commission has been very active in creating a greater understanding of African Culture and the interconnectivity that
exists among us,” said Deputy Mayor Muñiz. “We understand that it is through unity and partnership that together, we will continue to
create stronger communities of hope. I am proud to work with the Newark African Commission and the positive spirit of its leadership
and members.”
According to African Commission President Dosso Kassimou, the African Woman`s Day Celebration in Newark will help empower a
new generation of African women to embody within themselves the values of past great women who stood up to protect the
foundations of African cultures, traditions, and value systems. Mr. Kassimou also said that the event will help motivate and empower
young women of African descent with the mission of leadership responsibilities in the Diaspora and the continent of Africa.
“We want to celebrate the African Woman and dedicate ourselves to the fundamental values of women and reject the low level
positions some of them often occupy in many parts of the World. We want to celebrate them because we are convinced that they can
lead us and the world towards peace and prosperity,” Mr. Kassimou added.
In addition to this event, the African Commission will collaborate with and assist other civic and private groups in organizing and
sponsoring programs and events recognizing the contributions of the African woman.
The African Commission, which was created as part of the Mayor’s Office on August 1, 2007, promotes policies and awareness of
issues concerning the cultural, social, economic, political, educational, health and general well-being of Africans and African-
Americans in Newark. The commission encourages an understanding of contemporary African and African-American policy issues
and promotes awareness and recognition of the African Culture and civilization.
The African Commission also studies, develops, and recommends to the Mayor such policies, programs, and activities that help to
promote African and African-American life and collaborates with and assists other civic and private groups in organizing and
sponsoring programs and events aimed at promoting African and African-American cultural awareness and contemporary policy
considerations.
The African Commission works with international, Federal, State and Municipal agencies to promote issues concerning its programs
and activities.
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