#PressForProgress #IWD2018 #EmpoweringWomen

ALBANY, NY (March 12, 2018) — At a time when women’s voices are rising around the world, International Women’s Day will be commemorated globally on March 8th through a rich diversity of initiatives. However here in the Capital District Mother Nature has her own plans, and the only woman we would let change International Women’s Day is Mother Nature herself!

In honor of International Women’s Day, Teal, Becker & Chiaramonte CPAs, P.C. (TBC), Bank of America, and other local business women have partnered with YWCA of the Greater Capital Region, Inc. (YWCA-GCR) to act locally by purchasing bras and donating funds to YWCA-GCR Brava! campaign. Over 160 bras will be donated on Monday, March 12th in support of International Women’s Day.

“Bras are often an overlooked vital necessity that women and girls we serve do not have access to and/or cannot afford,” said Daquetta Jones, Executive Director of YWCA of the Greater Capital Region, Inc. “These free bras allow us to help restore some of the dignity to these women and girls in need that have lost along the way and to empower them to get back on their feet with confidence. We greatly appreciate TBC and partners for their support, taking action and bringing awareness to this critical need. ”

“We are truly honored to partner with YWCA of the Greater Capital Region, Inc.,” said Stephanie Mumford, CPA who is a Partner at TBC. “We created the TBC Women’s Initiative to enable and empower women, and there’s no better way to do that than by helping the women and girls in our community who need it most.”

Over the past 3 years, YWCA-GCR has collected and given more than 1,500 new bras to girls and women of YWCA-GCR and in the community for free. New bras and underwear with tags are collected year-round and at their Annual Brava! event.

How can you help? When you go out to purchase a new bra, please consider buying a second one to donate to YWCA-GCR, larger sizes are appreciated. Monetary contributions of cash or check (written out to YWCA-GCR) toward the purchase of bras can be mailed to Teal, Becker & Chiaramonte (c/o Gail Watson) or you can bring the bras to 7 Washington Square, Albany, NY to add to our collection. The TBC Women’s Initiative will donate the bras and funds to YWCA-GCR located at 21 1st St, Troy, NY 12180 at 11:30 am on March 12th, in honor of International Women’s Day.

If you cannot attend, please have all donations to TBC by Friday, March 9th and TBC will deliver them on your behalf.

YWCA-GCR is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. YWCA-GCR works to support women as they work toward goals they have set for themselves, and there is always one item in short supply, bras. Bras are more than just clothing. This fundamental garment is key to helping rebuild women’s confidence and strength as they re-enter the world on a fresh path.

For more information on how you can support this initiative, please call your TBC contact at 518-456-6663.

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About Teal, Becker & Chiaramonte, CPAs
Teal, Becker & Chiaramonte, CPAs, P.C. (TBC), was founded in 1971. TBC services business clients, not-for-profit organizations, government entities, employee benefit plans, and individuals in several different areas. These areas include accounting, auditing, tax, and advisory services such as trust and estate administration, pension plan administration, valuation and litigation services, and forensic accounting, among others.

About YWCA of the Greater Capital Region, Inc.
Since 1883, YWCA of the Greater Capital Region has served women in the City of Troy and Greater Capital Region areas. Today, we are one of the area’s largest providers of affordable and supportive housing to both single women and women with children that would otherwise be homeless or living in substandard housing. In addition to our economic empowerment, homelessness prevention, food security services and supportive programs, every day, YWCA-GCR houses 104 women and over 50 children. Learn more: www.ywca-gcr.org

YWCA is on a mission to eliminate racism, empower women, stand up for social justice, help families, and strengthen communities. We are one of the oldest and largest women's organizations in the nation, serving over 2.3 million women, girls, and their families. Learn more: www.ywca.org