BORDER NEWS: McAllen Celebrates Women’s History Month

(McAllen, TX)  Earlier this evening, Mayor Jim Darling and the McAllen City Commission proclaimed the month of March as Women’s History Month in McAllen, in celebration of the of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.  City leaders were proud to point out that the City of McAllen is unique amongst Rio Grande Valley and border municipalities, with 17 female and 13 male directors, one female assistant city manager part of the three male city manager administration team and three female and three male commissioners.  Additionally, two out of the five directors at the McAllen Public Utility are females.

“The City of McAllen is an organization where women flourish and is proud to boast an equal number of women and men in positions of leadership, influence, and decision and policy-making as directors within the organization, helping to bring new vision and perspective to the growth and direction of the municipality and more importantly, the community,” read part of the proclamation. 

According to Mayor Jim Darling, women have been an important part of the fabric of the growth and progress of society.

 “They are not only an integral part of nurturing families, but often times, also serve as bread winners and role models for their community, whether on a small scale in their home or on a larger scale in jobs such as education, medicine or science, or even, as they are here with the City of McAllen, being a major part of the innovation and responsiveness of government,” said Mayor Darling.  “It is an honor to be a part of the City of McAllen where women have such key roles in moving our city forward.”

In celebration of Women’s History Month (March) and International Women’s Day (March 8), the City of McAllen will also host a series of events that will help promote and encourage the contributions of women to the city.

Below is the schedule of activities that the City of McAllen will host in honor of these initiatives:

·      Women’s History Month Proclamation;

·      International Women’s Day Breakfast Symposium, McAllen Convention Center, featuring a panel discussion of City of McAllen female trailblazers, as well as invited

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guest speaker City of Reynosa Mayor Dra. Maki Ortiz; open to all female City of McAllen employees; and

·      South Texas College Shadow Day, where female students from various degree programs will shadow a City of McAllen director

“I am honored to not only recognize the leaders in our organization, but also, to stress to all of our female employees that there is no limit to their potential here with the City of McAllen,” said City Manager Roel Roy Rodriguez, P.E.  “It is also important to encourage our next generation of women in the workforce to seek a career in public sector work, to help take our city and our region to the next level.”