LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending 4 Real Women International, Inc. upon
the occasion of hosting its Voices of Women Conference 2016 on May 15,
2016

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality and character of life in the communities across New York State
are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those organiza-
tions and individuals who would devote themselves to the welfare of the
community and its citizenry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend 4
Real Women International, Inc. upon the occasion of hosting its Voices
of Women Conference 2016 (VoW Con 16) on Sunday, May 15, 2016, at the
Roulette Events and Performance Space, Brooklyn, New York; and
WHEREAS, VoW Con 16 is an annual event comprised of forums which
promote open dialogue on real issues for real women; the theme of this
year's conference is entitled Dreams Redefined; and
WHEREAS, Founded by Norka Blackman-Richards, 4 Real Women Interna-
tional (4RWI), Inc. is a non-denominational, multilingual, multicul-
tural, multigenerational, non-profit franchise run by women for women
and their families, with operations throughout the United States and
across the globe; and
WHEREAS, For the last nine years, 4RWI, Inc. has diligently worked to
develop and present innovative and creative insight-gaining programs and
activities for women and their families, in individual or group
settings, through peer-counseling, mentoring, workshops, interventions,
conferences, and support groups; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, 4RWI, Inc. strives to provide awareness, under-
standing and practical solutions to some of the most common and often
unaddressed issues faced by women around the globe today by utilizing
various social networks such as Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, LinkedIn,
Instagram, Google+, and Paper.Li, as well as YouTube; and
WHEREAS, 4RWI, Inc. believes that every woman is empowered when she
understands that she deserves the freedom to rediscover herself and has
the right to learn how to live her best life; through its empowerment
efforts, 4RWI, Inc. hopes to challenge women to take full ownership of
the countless possibilities that lie within them; and
WHEREAS, Since its inception in 2007, 4RWI, Inc. has touched the lives
of thousands of women in the United States and internationally through
signature programs which include: Leadership Academy 4 Women: L.E.A.D!
(Leadership. Empowerment. Accountability. Determination), VoWCon (Voices
of Women), a one-day conference that gathers the voices of women as
panelists, to share their views around a specific topic, and Interna-
tional Conferences for Women in Latin America and the Caribbean; and
WHEREAS, At this year's conference, Miko Branch, author, philanthro-
pist, and co-Founder and CEO of Miss Jessie's LLC, the company behind
the premium hair care product line, Miss Jessie's, will serve as the
Keynote Speaker; and
WHEREAS, The Feature Interview will highlight Mariama Camara, fashion
designer, humanitarian and Founder and Creative Director of Mariama
Fashion Production, Mariama Camara LLC and the co-Founder of There Is No
Limit Foundation; and
WHEREAS, Guest panelists will include Datrean Y. Pileggi, a Surgical
Neurophysiologist at New York Presbyterian Hospital, who assists with
difficult spine and brain surgeries; and
WHEREAS, Captain Linda Rock-Wright, the Commanding Officer for the New
York Police Department Enterprise Assessment Unit, which provides early

assessment and mitigates lawsuits against the New York City Police
Department; and
WHEREAS, Anilsa Nunez, a 20-year veteran of higher education, current-
ly holds the title of Dean of Student Affairs at St. John's University;
and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those organiza-
tions and individuals who enhance the well-being and vitality of their
community and have shown a long and sustained commitment to excellence
certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend 4 Real Women International, Inc. upon the occasion of hosting
its Voices of Women Conference 2016 on May 15, 2016; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Norka Blackman-Richards, Founder/CEO, 4 Real Women Interna-
tional, Inc., and to Miko Branch, Mariama Camara, Datrean Y. Pileggi,
Linda Rock-Wright, and Anilsa Nunez.