Press Releases: 05/20/08 LEGISLATOR IANNELLO PARTICIPATES IN ENVIRONMENTAL FORUM 05/07/08 LEGISLATORS IANNELLO AND KONST RELEASE 2008 DEVELOPMENT PACKAGE 05/02/08 Media Advisory 03/26/08 LEGISLATOR IANNELLO ANNOUNCES INCREASED AID FOR LIBRARIES 01/15/08 LEGISLATOR IANNELLO APPOINTED TO STATE COMMITTEE

Michele M. Iannello - District 10 April 5, 2007 ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATURE BOASTS WOMEN LAWMAKERS Having just ended Women's History Month in March, I want to talk about the tremendous strides the Erie County Legislature has experienced regarding Women in Politics. The Legislature made history with the addition of two new women legislators, bringing the total to seven women. Just recently Betty Jean Grant and Barbara Miller-Williams were voted into their respective districts. Lynn Marinelli is our Chairperson, making history as the first woman to serve in that role while Maria Whyte serves as our Majority Leader. Kathy Konst and Cynthia Locklear serve their respective districts with vigor and dedication. Each one of us brings a resume of professional experience to the table. These experiences bring a varied approach, different perspectives and compromise solutions to the serious problems facing Erie County government. Not only in lawmaking are we progressive, but we are fortunate to have the Erie County Commission on the Status of Women which analyzes the number of women office holders in the municipalities of Erie County. This allows us to compare ourselves with other communities. However we are still struggling for parity on pay scales. Personally, I am proud of my memberships in the Zonta Club of Kenmore, the Romulus Women's Auxiliary, and at this time I am the only woman member on the Executive Board of Hasek's Heroes Youth Hockey Foundation. I was a proud sponsor of the YWCA of the Tonawanda's Beaujolais Nouveau event. Just last week I had the privilege to present a proclamation to Marietta LaFornara, retiring Director of the Town of Tonawanda Senior Citizens, the first female to be appointed as Recreation Director. I especially enjoy my speaking engagements to women's groups, such as the Tonawanda Business and Professional Women (BPW). This month I will be joining the Grand Island Chamber of the BPW and speaking to their members at their September meeting. As women, we have much to be proud of. Organizations like the YWCA, Lioness, the many veterans' auxiliary organizations, the list is endless, all are major contributors to our quality of life in Erie County. Women are now members of what used to be considered ‘men's organizations' like the Kiwanis, Rotary and Exchange Clubs. It was a woman who encouraged me to get involved in government. As a result, I have experienced and found satisfaction in ways that I had never imagined. I want to encourage all of you to pursue any interests you have, be they in government or in a community organization. I promise you that you will find involvement personally enriching while you serve to better your community. I would like to congratulate all of you who have balanced the roles of mother, wife, career, community volunteerism, or whatever your specialty may be. If ever I can be of assistance as an advocate to you as a woman, please do not hesitate to call on me. Personally, I celebrate "Women's Her-Story" all year long, not just in the month of March. Back to District 10 Homepage