News  Registration for the 5th Annual Massachusetts Trial Court Women’s History Month Celebration and Conference is now closed

“The Massachusetts Trial Court Women’s History Month Celebration and Conference Planning Committee would like to thank everyone who registered. We look forward to joining together with you to honor nine trailblazing women and celebrate and embrace this year’s theme, ‘Moving Forward Together! Women Educating and Inspiring Generations,’” said Committee Chairperson Dr. Carmen Gomez, Deputy Commissioner of Pretrial Services for the Massachusetts Probation Service.

Massachusetts District Court Judge Michelle Fentress will serve as mistress of ceremonies.

This is what attendees have to look forward to:

An awards ceremony at 8 am where nine trailblazing women will be honored, including guest speaker, Dr. Alexandra Walker, Director of Community Relations and Strategy for the Alliance for Community and Justice Innovation (ACJI), and the event’s first “Youth Honoree” Marli Forrester, a 14-year-old student leader and social justice advocate. The award recipients are being recognized for empowering and inspiring women as well as contributing positively to their communities and improving the quality of life for all.

The other honorees include:

• Stacy Deveau, Assistant Chief Probation Officer at Boston Municipal Court-Central, and a volunteer for Achilles International, an organization for disabled athletes
• Amanda Fernandez, Chief Executive Officer and Founder for Latinos for Education
• Susan Church, an immigration attorney and chief operating officer for the State Office for Refugees and Immigrants
• Petrina Martin Cherry, Vice President of Community Engagement and External Affairs at the Boston Medical Center.
• Sarah Pierce, Physics Instructor, Northeast Metropolitan Vocational High School
• Cecely Pearson, Commissioner of the Department of Youth Services
• Toni Wiley, Chief Executive Officer for the Sportsmen’s Tennis Club & Enrichment Center

The awards ceremony will be followed by networking opportunities and panel discussions on health, wellness, and empowerment. The first panel discussion, ”Journeys to Success and Wellness,” will be moderated by Patricia Wen, Boston Globe Magazine staff writer.

A second panel, “Women Educating and Inspiring Women,” will be moderated by Diane Barry, Plymouth Superior Assistant Chief Probation Officer.

Attorney Nicole M. Bluefort, Esq., will present “Empowering Women Through Financial Freedom,” during an afternoon session.

There will also be lunch and a free book giveaway.

“This event brings together women from the community, criminal justice, legal, and human services professions as well as probationers, and court-involved clients for a day of education, comradely, empowerment, and inspiration. We look forward to seeing you on the March 26th,” said Dr. Gomez.