AP Women’s Convention: A Day Of Politics And Comedy
Weinberg, Cunningham, Guadagno, Downey, Bennett, & Julia Scotti Headline Nonpartisan Event
Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, Senator Sandra Cunningham, Former Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno, and Assemblywoman Joann Downey are among those on the political lineup at the inaugural Asbury Park Women’s Convention: A Day of Politics and Comedy, organizers announced Monday in a written statement.
-
- Weinberg
-
- Cunningham
-
- Guadagno
“I am absolutely humbled by the diverse turn out of exceptional women who will be taking time to share their stories with us,” Co Founder and organizer Deputy Mayor Amy Quinn said.
Being held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 24 at the iconic Paramount Theatre, located at 1300 Ocean Ave on the Asbury Park Boardwalk, the nonpartisan event sold out at its original location at The Asbury within two days of its December announcement.
Bennett
“I think the fact that we originally sold out in two days is indicative of where we’re at as a society,” Co Founder and Organizer Jess Alaimo, a local comedian/activist, said. “Women are ready to stand up for equality and justice. This event will give us the confidence and guidance necessary to move forward fearlessly in these endeavors.”
With a mission of harnessing the power of diverse women to affect transformation social change, a special acknowledgement will be given to newly elected Atlantic County Freeholder Ashley Bennett. The 32-year-old Egg Harbor Township resident ran for and won her first political office in November.
Bennett who recently appeared on the cover of Time Magazine, hit the national landscape after unseating a Republican male incumbent who posted a meme asking whether participants in the Women’s March on Washington would be home in time to cook dinner.
“There are a myriad of issues that affect us and it is time we determine our destinies,” Co Founder and Organizer Councilwoman Yvonne Clayton said. “That is the impetus behind the Asbury Park Women’s Convention. And while we are discussing the heavy issues; we are also going to make sure we have fun.”
Among the headlining performers is renowned transgender comedian Julia Scotti – a favorite from America’s Got Talent, a host of local performers and comics, and a surprise guest performer. Also, on the bill is a duet performance from Asbury Park rockers Deseree Spinks of Des and the Swagmatics and Marguerite King of Little Vicious.
The nonpartisan event aims to look at issues that affect women across party lines in an engaging and realistic manner, the organizers said in a written statement. Its panel discussions include Equal Pay, Women’s Healthcare and Sexual Violence.
APWC Team
The Asbury Park Women’s Convention [APWC] is the brainchild of Clayton, Quinn, Alaimo, and 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; with behind the scenes organizational help being led by Stephanie Salomonsen of Eatontown, a Kean University alum and longtime Monmouth County Democrat member, and Christina Zuk of Long Branch, a Rutgers University alum who works as a Democratic lobbyist for the Princeton Public Affairs Group. Zuk was the political director for Barbara Buono’s 2013 campaign for Governor.
The all volunteer event also features an array of fare from woman-owned local eateries.
Tickets are $10 online, $15 at the door, and free for students and military members with I.D.
Donations and sponsorships in support of the event can be made via checks to Asbury Park Women’s Convention, PO Box 713, Asbury Park, NJ 07712. Proceeds will be donated to the Ready to Run program at the Center for American Women and Politics, Eagleton Institute of Politics.
Primary sponsorships came from NJ Natural Gas, with support from Purple Glaze, Asbury 
Park Greenery, Asbury Park Roastery, B2Creative, and Asbury Audio, with discounts being offered at Words! bookstore, and Asbury Inn.
The APWC will also co-host a screening of “Zero Weeks,” being held 6pm at The Asbury, located at 210 Fifth Ave. The movie addresses the issue surrounding the paid leave movement. The event is free but registration is limited, via the Asbury Park Women’s Convention website.
For more about the Asbury Park Women’s Convention, visit their Facebook and Instagram pages.
——————————————————————————————————————-
Follow the Asbury Park Sun on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The Asbury Park Sun is affiliated with the triCityNews newspaper.
