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About Us

Who We Are and What We Do

The WWA is an anti-racist, feminist organization that advocates on behalf of women in Westchester County and works to ensure that the social and economic climate in the County offers women equal access to opportunity.

Our focus is on driving change in 6 critical categories which encompass the most significant areas of need. The strong and continuous advocacy efforts of our nonprofit and individual members have resulted in increased funding from the County and State governments, enabling us to provide services for our most vulnerable neighbors.

We have adapted our mission and vision to meet the changing needs in Westchester, as we continue to work towards a more equitable, just and safe community.

Our Mission

To improve the lives of women, and people who identify as women, in Westchester County by advancing racial, economic, and social equity and justice for all.

Our Members

As a feminist, anti-racist advocacy organization, our members are nonprofits and individuals, a diverse, non-partisan group united as a strong voice for women, and those who identify as women, in Westchester County. We work together as volunteers collectively driving change. Learn more about our nonprofit members.

Our Vision

Westchester Women’s Agenda intends to be the powerful ‘voice for women’ that enables them to thrive in a community that values equity, inclusion, opportunity and justice.

2024 WWA Board Members

Kate Permut, Chair - Board Member, Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic Action Fund; Advocacy Co-Chair, Friends of Neighbors Link

Carola Otero Bracco, Vice Chair - Executive Director, Neighbors Link

Alisa H. Kesten, Vice Chair - Rewired, Social Action Leader

Jon Wegienek, Secretary - Former Executive Board Member, Westchester Chapter of the National Organization for Women

Michelle A. Nicholas,Treasurer - Founder and CEO The NICO Consulting Inc., Board Member Nonprofit Westchester, and Board Member United Way of Westchester and Putnam.

Juliet Armstrong Former Director, Global Innovation, PepsiCo; PowHer NY Pay Equity Subcommittee

Nicole Benjamin, JD, LLM, LMSW - Asst. Executive Director for Quality & Corporate Compliance, The Arc Westchester

Cheryl Geller - Past Board Member of the Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic Action Fund and a political activist on the federal, state and local level

CarlLa Horton - Executive Director, Hope’s Door

Esmeralda Hoscoy - Associate Dir. of Oversight & Support, Community Sponsorship Hub for the Welcome Corps Program; Former District Dir., Catholic Charities

Lynda Jones -Former VP of Human Resources & Strategic Planning, Historic Hudson Valley

Kym McNair - Senior Director of Social Transformation and Director of Community Education and Organizing at My Sister's Place

Sally Pinto - District Leader, Primerica; NY Community Ambassador for Girls With Impact

Our History

We have a distinguished history of protecting and advancing the interests of Westchester women, and continue to play a significant role in the County.

Westchester Women’s Agenda began in the 1990s when a small group of women met at the YWCA in White Plains to discuss the impact of budget cuts by County Executive O’Rourke’s Administration on services for women and children. Camille Murphy, who at that time was working in government as the head of the County’s Office for Women, had suggested the meeting.

Inspired by the New York Women’s Agenda, the group formed a public-private partnership to advocate on behalf of women and children, with the intention of working initially to influence the County budget and eventually moving beyond that focus.

The Voice of Advocacy for Women in Westchester