Commissioner attended forum in South Africa

Oakland County Commissioner Marcia Gershenson recently attended the International Women’s Forum (IWF) Cornerstone Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa. The IWF brings together women of achievement to network and discuss ways to exert a positive influence in their communities.

Gershenson joined leading advocates and pioneers for change from more than 50 countries across the world. The primary focus of the conference was to build and maintain healthy communities. IWF conferences are held annually in critical regions around the world and provide access to leaders impacting international progress, business, economics, ecology, enterprise and politics on the world stage.

“The conference in Johannesburg was an extraordinary experience and a reminder that we all share similar problems globally. Severe income disparities, race relations and job creation were major topics of
discussion. I look forward to continuing networking with other local leaders to find solutions,” stated Gershenson, “I was impressed with the respect paid by African leaders to the value and opinions of women.”

Since being elected to the Oakland County Board of Commissioners in 2004, Gershenson has worked to empower women by forming the Women’s Advisory Commission for Oakland County. As a county commissioner, she has been an advocate for small business and greater road funding for Oakland County.  Gershenson has worked to increase services for veterans and is one of the founding members of the Healthy Oakland Partnership.

In addition, she was instrumental in establishing the “Curbing Gun Violence in Oakland County Study Group.”  This group held a series of public hearings on the issue and ran a successful public awareness campaign. This effort was awarded the National Association of Counties “Civic and Public Engagement Award.” 

Her leadership and accomplishments have garnered her  the distinction of being the first woman from Oakland County selected to participate in the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG), Taubman Fellowship Executive Excellence Program. She was named a Taubman Fellow in 2011, and the prestigious program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government at Harvard University.
Gershenson (D) represents the communities of West Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Township and the City of Farmington Hills in District #13.

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