Hostos Community College celebrated the opening of its new Women’s Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, Dec. 4. Located on the first floor of the Savoy Building, the center is set to begin full programming in the Spring 2025 semester.
The new Women’s Center will provide a safe and inclusive space for individuals of all genders, races, ethnicities, religions, and sexual orientations. The center will offer resources such as counseling, crisis intervention, and specialized programming to raise awareness about gender-based issues and women’s rights. Peer support groups will also be available, fostering a sense of community and promoting women’s empowerment, advocacy, engagement, and academic success.
During the ceremony, Hostos Community College President Daisy Cocco De Filippis highlighted the significance of the new Women’s Center, emphasizing its importance to the college, where approximately 70% of students are women. She expressed gratitude to those instrumental in bringing the center to fruition, including Women’s Center Director Lillian Morales, Interim Vice President of Student Development and Enrollment Management Dr. Althea Sterling, and Senior Vice President of Administration and Finance Esther Rodriguez-Chardavoyne.
Sterling emphasized the collaborative spirit that helped make the center come to fruition. She said it was a “labor of love” reflecting the Hostos community’s dedication and passion, “where diversity will be celebrated.”
Morales thanked the volunteers who helped create a warm and inviting atmosphere at the Women’s Center. She emphasized that their dedication ensures a nurturing and supportive environment where students can access vital services.
“This center is not just a physical space — it’s a symbol of resilience, strength and possibility,” Student Government Association President Dainma Martinez said. “It will serve as a sanctuary where women can find the resources they need, the connections they seek and the inspiration to achieve their goals.”
The new Women’s Center becomes the 11th within the CUNY system. Zina Richardson, Director of Operations for the CUNY Office of Student Inclusion Initiatives, emphasized the importance of such spaces on college campuses, particularly for predominantly female student populations like that of Hostos Community College.
Following the ceremonial ribbon cutting by De Filippis, Sterling, Rodriguez-Chardavoyne, Morales and Martinez, members of the Hostos community explored the new center, which featured comfortable seating, inspiring artwork and collaborative work areas, contributing to a sense of belonging.
