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Five city women have come together to launch a women’s convention aimed at spotlighting issues that affect women across party lines. Entitled Asbury Park Women’s Convention: A Day of Politics and Comedy, the day long event will be held Feb 24 at The Asbury.

“This is a pivotal time for women,” Councilwoman Yvonne Clayton said in a written statement. “We are experiencing a unique moment in time with the recent Women’s Marches and the ‘Me Too’ movement. We need to harness the current energy and activism into an agenda that serves diverse groups of women. This is the time to become engaged, to encourage more women to run for office, to determine for ourselves what our healthcare needs are and to continue the debate about equal pay.”

Clayton joins Deputy Mayor Amy Quinn; Comedian/Activist Jess Alaimo, who helped organize the Labor Day Stand Against Hate rally in Springwood Avenue Park; Community Organizer Kerry Margaret Butch, who served as Executive Director of the League of Women Voters of New Jersey; and Jersey Pride Organizer Linda Phillips in creating a program that will both educate and entertain.

“Councilwoman Clayton and I are thrilled to be co-chairing a women’s convention that will bring together women of different ethnicity and political affiliation to ensure our voices are being heard on issues that matter to us all. Mark your calendar for a fun event on February 24th and stay tuned. We will be announcing speakers, comedians, and topics over the next few weeks.”

The nonpartisan event aims to look at issues that affect women across party lines in an engaging and realistic manner, the women say. By harnessing the power of diverse women through comedy, music, and panels led by political powerhouses, the APWC will address everything from Equal Pay and Women’s Healthcare to Sexual Assault and Harassment to help foster a transformative social change.

“When women come together, we get things done,” Alaimo said. “But we need to be out there making our voices heard. I’m so excited about the Asbury Park Women’s Convention because it will be engaging to women of all ages, even those who have never considered themselves politically involved before, or maybe those who think the political process is boring. The political process can be boring, but getting the same salary as your male counterpart is not.”

The Asbury Park Women’s Convention will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb 24 at  The Asbury. Speakers, comedians, and surprise guests will be announced in the upcoming weeks.

For more information, visit APWomensConvention.com.

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