She Steps FORTH: Honoring Women's Legacy

In collaboration with XB Community/ Black Portland, St. Andrew Nativity School, local artists, former elected politicians, Forge Yoga Studio, and more, will create an interactive space prompting and celebrating women and girls.

During the month of March, women, girls, and allies will gather at Shiekh Shoes for a celebration of Women’s History Month. This initiative, aligning with Women’s History Month, is set to honor women's achievements, preserving their stories, and promoting greater understanding and appreciation of women's roles in shaping history and society. Our aim is to cultivate an environment for girls and women to learn, build, and create long lasting fellowships.

On March 9th, the day following International Women's day, twenty middle and high school girls will come together for a personal and motivational discussion on realizing their potential, creating a lasting impact, and moving through environments of influence.

Panelists:

Cyreena Boston Ashby: CEO - Girls Inc. of the Pacific Northwest

Cyreena Boston Ashby’s career success has been guided by one guiding principle: a relentless commitment to bold leadership, social justice, and racial equity. She is the CEO of Girls Inc. of the Pacific Northwest, a purpose-driven nonprofit organization committed to inspiring girls to be strong, smart and bold through free programming, enriching mentoring relationships and advocacy.  With more than 20 years of experience in the private and public sectors, she has an extensive track record in board governance, politics, and philanthropy. She is also a 2024 Portland Business Journal Women of Influence. An alumna of Spelman College, and educated at Harvard Business School and INSEAD, Cyreena believes that educational and social attainment are of the least that girls (and all youth) deserve for a bright future. Cyreena enjoys participating in local and national ventures that uphold the same principles and she looks forward to Girls Inc. of the Pacific Northwest furthering its impact within local communities.

Kim Cortes-Martinez: Founder of Don't Suppress Youth Success

Kim identifies as a first-generation Mexican American queer woman whose passion is to elevate underrepresented voices. Kim is passionate about using restorative justice, community dialogue and prevention methods to decrease the number of young people in juvenile detention centers across the nation. Kim’s passion is demonstrated in the extensive community work she does and the connections she forms. Throughout her life, Kim has engaged in various organizations and forums, from a local to a national level. Kim strives to continuously advocate for marginalized communities in her work, which is how she became Co-Chair for the Multnomah Youth Commission (MYC) in 2022-2023. At MYC, Kim serves on the Youth Against Violence subcommittee with the goal of decreasing violence in the Portland Metro Area.

Margaret Carter: First black woman elected to the Oregon legislature

Margaret Louise Carter, born December 29, 1935, in Shreveport, Louisiana, was the eighth of nine children. Despite growing up in segregated conditions, she remained civically, academically, and spiritually engaged. Showcasing her musical talents from a young age, she performed in her father's church and on the radio by age 15. Graduating high school as salutatorian in 1954, she attended Spaulding Business College before earning a degree from Grambling State University. Marrying and having five daughters, she moved to Portland, Oregon, in 1967, where she pursued higher education at Portland State University and Oregon State University while raising her family. Carter spent 27 years as a counselor and faculty member at Portland Community College. In 1984, she made history as the first black woman elected to the Oregon legislature. There, she fought against apartheid and advocated for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. After resigning from the Oregon Senate in 2009, she served in various roles, including with the Oregon Department of Human Services and as director of Community Engagement. Even in retirement, she remains active in speaking engagements, volunteering, and charity work, embodying the values of hard work and dedication she advocates. At 88, she continues her mission of helping those in need.