WBFO Women's News Desk

Patti Jones has considered herself a typical female since she was a very young boy named Peter. She earned her degree in Mechanical Engineering from Rochester Institute of Technology, joined the family machine and tool design company, taught skiing and snowboarding, raced sailboats, was "happily married to a wonderful woman" for 24 years and had a daughter. It was at the age of 50 - in 2004 - she formally transitioned and has since been dedicated to Western New York's LGBTQ communities as an activist and mentor. Jones shared her journey with WBFO.

Leslie Zemsky has perhaps the best job title in Western New York. As Director of Fun (and Vice President) of her family-run Larkin Development Group, she is helping infuse "whimsy amongst the warehouses" of what was Buffalo's first business district. A lifelong philanthropist dedicated to numerous nonprofit causes and board memberships, Zemsky began a creative new adventure in 2002 when the family sold its Russer Foods and bought the Larkin Terminal Warehouse at 726 Exchange St. Since then, the area has blossomed into a vibrant community hub powered by her altruistic energy, called Larkinville.

Down in the Valley is Margaret "Peg" Overdorf. Hang your head over the Michigan Avenue Lift Bridge and you can hear her wind blow. This year, Overdorf is celebrating 40 years as Executive Director of the Valley Community Association, from which has bloomed a renewal along the Ohio Street Corridor to the Buffalo River. You may not recognize their names, but the VCA, Overdorf and her close-knit army of volunteers are leaving their mark on our region, serving families and turning former polluted dumping grounds into waterfront destinations.

Amherst Central High School celebrated International Women's Day with sessions designed to raise awareness about women's issues. WBFO's senior reporter Eileen Buckley talked to some students honoring women from across the globe.  

During the housing crisis a decade ago, an estimated one-third of civil filings in New York State Supreme Court were foreclosures. "It was huge numbers," remembers the Hon. Paula Feroleto, "so the court had to adapt how cases were treated." Today issues like the opioids crisis, jailing people with mental illness and Buffalo's influx of refugees are requiring new thinking. As Administrative Judge of the Eighth Judicial District, Feroleto's role is to supervise all 95 judges and 850 employees in Western New York's 22 courts while preserving justice for all.

Few Western New Yorkers have led a hospital and fewer have been women. Then there is Sheila Kee. She has led three local hospitals, the Community Health Association of New York State and the Western Region for the state Health Department. Since September 2008, she has served as Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, where her imprint can be found on many transformational initiatives. However, her career sprung from one of the most important periods in American politics.

Ellen E. Grant is a fellow at the Weiss Institute, an initiative of Say Yes to Education that marshals best practices and the latest research to address inequities and boost economic development by supporting young people from early childhood to adult success. It is the latest of many leadership hats worn by this savvy woman over 60, who grew up in Buffalo's public housing to become a nurse, a social worker, a licensed therapist, an executive coach, a college instructor, Director of Cornerstone Manor, Vice President at BlueCross/BlueShield of Western New York, President and CEO of Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, Erie County Commissioner of Mental Health and City of Buffalo Deputy Mayor.

Althea Luehrsen has been CEO of Leadership Buffalo since January 2012 and is Co-founder and Vice Chair of Women Who Lead WNY. Through service, diversity, inclusion and openness to change, she believes giving back to her community is key to the success of the region. She does this every day, not only by freely sharing her 40 years of work experience, but through numerous board memberships and nonprofit causes. No wonder her career is full of accolades and her mantelpiece with awards.

History made within the Buffalo Fire Department is being recognized. It now has its first-ever African-American female Lieutenant.

During Black History Month Buffalo's Uncrowned Queens has been calling on community members to help preserve stories for generations to come.  WBFO's senior reporter Eileen Buckley says the organization is celebrating its 20th year.

Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Music Director JoAnn Falletta describes her Grammy win as "exciting" and "unexpected." WBFO senior reporter Eileen Buckley says Falletta won for her conducting work with the London Symphony Orchestra and American composer Kenneth Fuchs.

An award-winning local photographer has created a new exhibit called Through The Lens: “Warriors" now on display at CEPA Gallery in downtown Buffalo.  WBFO's senior reporter Eileen Buckely sat down with Aitina Fareed-Cooke, the owner & creative director of Get Fokus'd Productions, who selected eight stories about people who beat the odds, just as she did.

Three Mount St. Mary Academy High School students created a special activity book for those living with Alzheimer’s disease. WBFO's senior reporter Eileen Buckley says as part of the school’s entrepreneurs program, the students published a book called Forget Me Not.  

A SUNY Fredonia student started an initiative to provide free sanitary products to students on campus.  WBFO's senior reporter Eileen Buckley says the program is called FREDFlo. 

Many have voiced the opinion that giving more laity - and, specifically, women - positions of leadership in the Catholic Church would help avoid sexual abuse scandals like the one now consuming the faith and its faithful. In the Buffalo diocese, there are a series of positions open to lay people, but ultimate power always remains with clergy. Even so, one empowering model may light the way to the future.

Entrepreneurship among seniors is trending in the United States and research shows that people 50 and older are opting to turn a business idea into a rewarding and profit-making retirement plan. 

The New York State Legislature voted Tuesday to codify the abortion rights in the U.S. Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade into New York law. Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the measure immediately after the vote.

More and more women in New York are picking up rifles for the first time, joining a growing population of female hunters.

Western New Yorkers are among those in Washington, D.C. who have traveled there to participate in the March For Life, which is held every year on or around the anniversary of the Supreme Court decision which legalized abortion. Those attending from Western New York who identify themselves as "pro-life" say there is much more to that term than the abortion issue and they include that in their message.

Acknowledging they will be up against some harsh elements Sunday afternoon, participants in the third annual Women's March Buffalo/WNY vow to again share messages of unity and struggle, celebrating accomplishments such as more seats in elected offices but also pointing out the disparities they still face.