03/07/2026
Leaders from across Houston’s public, nonprofit, health, and education sectors came together to celebrate International Women’s Day, reaffirming our shared commitment to advancing opportunity and leadership for women and girls.
Hosted by the , in partnership with the ’sOfficeofTradeandInternationalAffairs (MOTIA), the event brought together members of the Consular Corps, community leaders, students, and advocates for a meaningful conversation on resilience, collaboration, and the future of women’s leadership.
Special thanks to Mayor John Whitmire, Chief Gigi Lee, and the entire team for their partnership in making this important gathering possible. We were also honored to hear remarks from Consul General Ana Paula Nascimento of Angola, who spoke on behalf of Houston’s Consular Corps community.
The program featured inspiring reflections from student leader Amara Chukwumerije, and a dynamic panel discussion with Erica Lee Carter, Harris County Administrator; Lupe M. Washington, Director at Harris County Public Health; and Mahtab Moradi, Director of Behavioral Health at the Ibn Sina Foundation. The event also included remarks from Eva Laredo, Board Chair of Houston City College, highlighting the critical role education plays in transforming communities.
A special thank you to Chairman Nasruddin Rupani for his generous support of this gathering and Board of Directors for organizing this event.
International Women’s Day reminds us that when women are empowered with education, opportunity, and voice, entire communities thrive. Together, we continue working toward a future where leadership and opportunity are accessible to all.
Photo credits: Julia Nabil and Cherry Win
United Nations Association of the United States of America Mayor's Office of Trade and International Affairs