Thanks to all who came out to ‘Women Rock: Flower Power Music from the Generation of Love’ on March 23 at StageOne in Fairfield! We got to listen

to some great music and admire art from our Art for Advocacy program.  A special thank you to Band Central and its Founder/Executive Director Rob Fried for their wonderful musical performance on Thursday and for all the support through the years!

A big part of the evening was being able to honor some spectacular women who work so hard to benefit their communities!

Sofia De Carvalho

Sofia has worked tirelessly since 2019 to educate and fundraise on behalf of The Center for Family Justice through the Festival of Hope event, also in Trumbull. This has turned into an annual festival that has grown each year and has benefited women in the region.

Tara Donnelly

Tara is an Easton resident who works with Laura Kabel, another Unsung Hero on this list, on many safe gun sense initiatives. From lobbying Congress to speaking candidly about her own experiences to supporting any and all who have been impacted by this issue, Tara is working towards a world free of gun violence.

Lily Gardiner

Upon witnessing the struggles of a close friend – that his heavy motorized wheelchair was cumbersome and difficult to use at home and with a vehicle, Lily started a GoFundMe page. Sharing her personal experiences with her friend, Lily was able to reach out to the community for support. She raised more than double her goal.

Maya Henry and Molly McHugh

Maya has spent her high school career as a friend and advocate for those living with disabilities. She has escorted two incredibly wonderful young men to special proms. Her mother Molly has organized and coordinated a Unified Talent Show.

Shamare Holmes

Shamare’s passion for and dedication to empowering women and girls of color in the Bridgeport community is evident through her work as a former Program Director for Her Time (an empowerment group for women in Bridgeport who were either incarcerated or impacted by the incarceration of loved ones). Shamare is the current Program Director of Live Girl (mentoring and leadership program for girls). Shamare creates safe and inclusive spaces for women and girls of color with the vision to strengthen connections and empower new leaders of change in our community.

Laura Kabel

Laura is a force in Bridgeport supporting community groups focused on common sense gun laws. Together with Tara Donnelly, she hosts events, raises awareness and runs GV Angels, a holiday Adopt a Family program that supports families who have been affected by gun violence.

Maria Pires

Maria works closely with Sofia De Carvalho on the Festival of Hope Committee. Whether it is planning the event, finding vendors, or showing up to volunteer for the entire day, Maria is there. Maria also collects clothing or other necessary items for people impacted by intimate partner violence.

Annie Scarano

Annie is a member of the Monroe community who has been active in countless initiatives to support youth programs. Most recently, Annie has focused her efforts on creating the first Girls Scouting Troop (Troop 26) in Monroe. After watching girls complete the Cub Scout program, Annie wondered why there was no next step offered in her hometown. She has charted a new troop, allowing this group of Cub Scout graduates to trail blaze their own way.

Elizabeth Sousa

Liz was integral to the success of the first all-town domestic violence vigil held in October 2022 at the Amphitheater in Bridgeport. Liz worked tirelessly with the CFJ team to coordinate the event, and even conducted a backstage tour of the amphitheater for our VIPs.

What a wonderful way to celebrate Women’s History Month! 

Thank you to these women for caring enough to bring positive changes to their communities and making people’s lives better! You all rock!