Houston’s International Women’s Day 2025 event brought together an influential group of leaders, advocates, and Houston’s International Women’s Day 2025 event brought together an influential group of leaders, advocates, and changemakers for a powerful discussion on advancing gender equality. Hosted by the United Nations Association (UNA) Houston in collaboration with the City of Houston and the World Federation of United Nations Associations, the exclusive gathering took place on March 7 at Houston City Hall’s Legacy Room.
The event’s theme, “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.”, guided a compelling panel discussion moderated by Alamdar Hamdani, former U.S. Attorney. Panelists Juliet Stipeche, Executive Director of the Gulf Coast Workforce Board, Dr. Brenda Hellyer, Chancellor of San Jacinto College, and Brenda Richardson, Founder and CEO of Healthco Pharmacy, shared insights on the progress and persistent challenges in achieving gender equality at both global and local levels.
One of the most powerful moments of the panel came from Juliet Stipeche, who spoke passionately about the issue of fair pay and anti-discrimination laws. She stressed the importance of ensuring women have equal pay for equal work, and how critical it is to continue advocating for robust legal protections against workplace discrimination. Juliet also reflected on her own journey, honoring the late Mayor Sylvester Turner and his mentorship. She shared how, after losing her re-election for the HISD school board, she supported the mayor in his runoff. This led to a pivotal moment when he offered her a role as the city’s first director of education. “It’s because of folks who take the time to listen and give women the opportunity to serve in positions of power and authority,” Stipeche said. She also recognized that Mayor Turner’s administration was made stronger by the many women in leadership roles, some of whom were present at the event.
Attendees, many dressed in ethnic attire, purple, or business casual, engaged in thought-provoking conversations and left inspired to take action in their communities. The event reinforced Houston’s commitment to gender equity, aligning with global efforts such as the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5.
As Houston continues to champion women’s rights, UNA Houston encourages ongoing advocacy and collaboration to drive meaningful change.
