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Women from across the state and beyond will come together Saturday to participate in the return of the Asbury Park Women’s Convention, being held 10 am to 3 pm at the Stone Pony [913 Ocean Ave].

Organized by four Asbury Park creatives, the annual nonpartisan event aims to address the issues that affect women across party lines in an engaging and realistic manner.

This year, the event opens with an hour-long networking opportunity; something many of last year’s attendees asked for following the sold-out event that drew well over 1,000 people to the Paramount Theatre.

This year, organizers – Comedian Jess Alaimo, Deputy Mayor Amy Quinn, Councilwoman Yvonne Clayton, and Sweet Dani B Owner and Women’s March AP founder Dani Fiore – opted to put forth three topical panel discussions:  

Cannabis and Wellness featuring:

Moderator Kelley Crosson, VP of the Board of Trustees, New Jersey Cannabis Industry Association

Gia Moron, Executive VP, WomenGrow

Asbury Park resident Patricia A. Patton, Founder of Cannaboomer and author of ebook series Asking for a Friend- A Boomer’s Journey Into the New Cannabis Landscape

Jackie Cornell, Deputy Commissioner Department of Health

April Lee, Ambassador of Cannabis for Secaucus

Being a Trans Ally features:

Moderator Jackie Baras, Director of PROUD Center at RWJ

Aaron Potenza, Policy Director at GSE

Asbury Park native Rev. Nicolle D. Harris, Drew Theological School Alumni

Christine Hamlett, former educator in Newark Schools and member of GLSEN NJ, which works to champion LGBTQ issues in K-12 education  

Madison Boylan, a trans teen who serves as a voice for equity

Agreeing to Disagree features:

Moderator Jennifer Holdsworth, Senior Political Strategist at MWWPR

Kimberly Klacik, Political Commentator and Baltimore County Rep Central Committee

Christina Zuk, government affairs professional with expertise in legislative policy, politics, and issue advocacy

Asbury Park resident Sancha Gray, Superintendent Asbury Park Schools

Maria Rodriquez, Republican politico who served the 8th district New Jersey General Assembly from 2014 to 2018.

Local singer, songwriter and guitarist Pamela Flores [shown above, who also serves as an ambassador for New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault, will be performing throughout the day.

Proceeds from the event go toward supporting female causes, issues, and organizations. Last year event proceeds included supporting three women – Felicia Simmons, Lee Miller and Bryn Horner’s participation in Ready Run: a non-partisan campaign training program that works to help women get elected to public office. Horner will share her participation insights during the program.

There are also a few surprise guests on tap and opportunities for attendees to try wares and learn more about female-owned local business and organizations, which include:

The vendors include:

Kinectric Wellness, Whimsical Witch Jewelry, Asbury Galleria, Bungalow Road, words! Bookstore, Asbury Insider, Sweet Dani B Cookie Kitchen, and the Marilyn Schlossbach Group

And the organizations are:

Garden State Equality, Planned Parenthood, League of Women Voters, Ms. Wheelchair NJ, Jersey Shore Roller Girls, and the Nurses of HPAE – providing blood pressure screenings.

Behind the scenes Councilwoman Eileen Chapman, Stone Pony’s Caroline O’Toole, and The ShowRoom Cinemas provided invaluable support, the women said.

The morning networking features breakfast offering from Purple Glaze, a popular downtown boutique donut shop. In continuing to keep all things local, the event gratis bags feature handcrafted treats from Chocolate Sage and Sweet Dani B. A cash bar complete’s the day’s offerings.

Tickets for the Asbury Park Women’s Convention are $10, $15 for the seating option, and $20 at the door. Tickets are available via stoneponyonline.com. For more about the Annual Women’s Convention, visit apwomensconvention.com.

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