SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Wednesday is International Women’s Day, and in celebration of this day, Women on the Vanguard’s hosted their first annual Latina Women’s Day Breakfast.

Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno and Ward 1 City Councilor Maria Perez launched the Women on the Vanguard’s first annual Latina Women’s Day Breakfast Wednesday morning. It focused on honoring local Latinas, activists, community leaders, organizations, and business owners working to alleviate the needs of women on a broad list of issues.

“We’re celebrating women. There’s quite a large group of women here, we represent women in power, women who are educated, and women in family in home and communities, to get everyone in one room,” said Perez.

Mayor Sarno said, “I want to thank City Councilor Maria Perez and the Women on the Vanguard for organizing this wonderful event.  Councilor Perez is a strong advocate for women and is always there to help care for the health and needs of our community.  This first annual Latina Women’s Day Breakfast, in observance of International Women’s Day, is an opportunity to thank and appreciate the Latina women in our community and provide them an opportunity to network and share information.  Special thanks to Springfield Pharmacy for sponsoring this event.”

Perez described this celebration as a means of providing networking for Latina women. This first annual celebration of Latina Women’s Day in Springfield.