Letter: International Women's Day

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To the Editor:

This letter was ignored by the Berkshire Eagle

Friday, March 8, was International Women's Day. Here in the Berkshires, it was celebrated by the Zonta club, an International Women's Leadership organization, by honoring six dynamic women from our community at a special dinner that attracted over 200 attendees.

This diverse group of women has made monumental contributions from coaching young professionals to build careers here to providing over two million diapers to those in need. These women aren't CEOs of big corporations and they didn't develop the latest app. They excelled by giving their time, skills and in most cases their own money for the benefit and betterment of the Berkshires. Their stories are inspirational, serving as powerful testaments of selfless service to guide young girls and women.

On Saturday morning, I sat down with my digital copy of the Berkshire Eagle–our Hometown Newspaper– expecting to read about this event and the special women leaders who are uplifting our community but there was no story or photo. Making headlines was the lead story with photos about “Drag Time Story Hour for our Children.”


I seriously question the Eagle's editorial decision and judgment. How do you ignore this opportunity to illustrate International Women's Day through local coverage of Zonta's six remarkable honorees, from diverse backgrounds and roles, who are leading the Berkshires to build a more equitable, desirable and respectful place to live?

I've met the editor and publisher of the Eagle. He's a smart guy. This wasn't a mistake. I believe this was an intentional effort by our hometown newspaper to advance a political agenda while ignoring real community heroes. Eagle editors have demonstrated irresponsible behavior and a lack of leadership and judgment by propagating a targeted narrative.

Get the focus where it belongs.

Respectfully,

Roger Gibboni
Lanesborough, Mass. 

 

 

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Demonstrators in Park Square Urge Voting; Polls Close at 8 p.m.

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Community members stood in Park Square on midterm election day urging everyone to use their voices at the polls. 

The standout was organized by Indivisible Pittsfield, and accompanied by a demonstration the previous day and another on election day at the Woodlawn Avenue rotary. 

"It's very important to vote, especially historically. Women didn't always have the vote. Minorities didn't always have the vote, so it's so incredibly important for everybody to go out and vote," said Rose Fiscella, with Indivisible Pittsfield. 

"Not just men, not just women, not just minorities. Everybody. No matter who you want to vote for — red, blue, purple — anybody." 

As a 20-year-old, Fiscella emphasized the importance of young people exercising their civic duty. Her sign read "Don't let America's 250th be our last." 

iBerkshires spoke to attendees at the beginning of the rally in downtown Pittsfield, down the street from polling locations at the Berkshire Athenaeum and Providence Court. 

"To me it feels more important than ever to vote and vote blue specifically," said  Lois Prew. 

"I'm encouraged that people are turning out in high numbers to vote. I feel like there's a blue wave going on, so I'm encouraged by that."

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