Founder of National Women’s March to Speak at Hilo Event

The 2018 Hilo Women’s March Civic Engagement Expo is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018, from noon to 3 p.m. at the Mo‘oheau Bandstand in Downtown Hilo across from the Hilo Farmers Market on Kamehameha Avenue.

Teresa Shook, founder of the National Women’s March, will be the featured speaker at the civic engagement expo in Hilo. Shook will share her story about the birth of the Women’s March and the movement.

The theme for this year’s event is “Imua – Doing My Part” (Imua means to move forward with purpose).

The 2018, Women’s March event celebrates last years’ success and aims to step it up with more active civic engagement throughout our local community. Hilo organizations, female office holders and women running for political office have been invited to participate. The whole event is designed to help effect positive changes in the coming year.

“The Women’s March… movement is making a difference… 2018 is our year,” said Shook. “Women and like-minded men are going to change the face of politics, governing, leadership and build a better world… do your part… to keep the flame of hope burning. Shine bright!”

Last year, over 3,000 people marched through Downtown Hilo in support of the first Hilo Women’s March event. The 2017 event was part of the larger non-violent demonstration of five million people throughout the United States that sparked a successful, year long organizing movement. Several local speakers and organizations interacted with and signed up new members at last years Hilo Women’s March event.

Other speakers and booths will give attendees an opportunity to learn more about Hilo civic action groups and how they can become personally involved in their favorite causes and actions. All the interactive group booths will have representatives available to help you put your ideas into action.

Entertainment

• Kimberly Dark, storyteller, writer, professor
• Harmony On Tap, a female a capella group from Hilo
• Capoeira

Preceding the expo, the “Standing Up for Your Rights March,” led by Puna Taiko drummers, will begin at 11 a.m. near Liliu‘okalani Gardens and ends at Mo‘oheau Bandstand at noon to start off the “2018 Women’s March Civic Engagement Expo.”