SPEAKING AT THE WOMEN’S CENTER’S GUEST SPEAKER EVENT

On March 4, 2025, I was honored to speak at my student organization’s first event to kick off Women’s History Month with two incredible guest speakers Dana Alas and Dr. Paula Austin. Alas is a City of Boston Executive Director for the Mayor’s office who advocates for women, gender equity, and social justice. In addition, Dr. Austin is an associate professor at Boston University for the Department of African American and Black Diaspora Studies.

The host of the event was me and Akshata Mehta, who is the event planner for the women’s center, and allowed me to represent the women’s center. I introduced Dr. Austin, the professor who teaches at Boston University for the Department of African American and Black Diaspora Studies. Mehta introduced Alas, who works for the City of Boston as an Executive Director for Women’s Advancement for the Mayor’s office.

Dr. Austin is an associate professor at Boston University for the department of history of African American and Diaspora studies. Austin explores topics such as race, urban history, education and social justice. Alas is an Executive Director for the Mayor’s office of Women’s Advancement in Boston where she promotes women empowerment and protecting them as well.

Therefore, Alas and Austin are advocating for the same thing in terms of empowering women and the community. Both Dana Alas and Paula Austin are both incredible women that are advocating and educating individuals on leadership, empowerment and advocacy. 

Once the speeches were finished by Alas and Austin, food service began. 

I had the chance to speak with Alas as we both have a similarity, which is growing up in Dorchester. I started by asking Alas what part of Dorchester she is from and her response was in between Grove Hall and Columbia Road. Meeting someone who grew up in Dorchester and is advocating for women in the community was cool. It proved that she is dedicated to what she is doing for the people.

Overall, both speakers highlighted the importance of continuing to advocate for the community and also educating them on why it’s important to speak on it and have a voice for what you are advocating for. It was empowering to listen to both Alas and Austin speak for the community and the future ahead of us.

Furthermore, providing insight into what you are supporting is important, so people can understand. Empowering the community with what you’re advocating for and reliable resources that will be useful for those to refer to because, in this present society, it’s important to support advocacy and educate one another.

Finally, this opportunity was an experience that was unforgettable because both hosting it and introducing our first speaker Alas gave me an insight of why it was important for her to advocate for women and also provide them with the resources and help they need which is important.