Elevate and Lead! NPS Celebrates Women's History Month on March 24

Honoring women who elevate others and lead with purpose.

Elevate and Lead is Norwalk Public Schools’ inaugural Women’s History Month celebration, presented in partnership with the City of Norwalk’s Commission on Gender Equity and valued community organizations. Together, we come together to honor the women and students whose leadership, compassion, and commitment are making a meaningful difference in our schools and throughout the community.

This evening recognizes outstanding women and young women who lead by lifting others up. They create opportunity, open doors, and inspire confidence in those around them through their actions and their example. From students finding their voice, to educators guiding and mentoring, to community leaders driving positive change, Elevate and Lead celebrates leadership at every stage of life.

The program features student performances that showcase creativity, expression, and the power of youth voice. The evening concludes with an inspirational talk by Monica Brown (Tracey Elementary School), inviting reflection on leadership, purpose, and what it truly means to elevate others.

Together, we celebrate the women who have shaped our community and the students who are carrying that legacy forward.

Elevate and Lead
Tuesday, March 24 from 5 to 7 p.m.
Norwalk Concert Hall, 125 East Ave. in Norwalk

Nominate an Outstanding Woman or Young Woman of Norwalk

We invite you to submit nominations to the Commission on Gender Equity, which will select the award recipients. We are looking for you to nominate deserving individuals whose actions have had a positive impact on women, girls and other marginalized gender identities such as transgender people and gender non-conforming people in the City of Norwalk.

Please complete the nomination form.

About Commission on Gender Equity

The Norwalk Commission on the Status of Women aims to review progress and assist in the elimination of gender-based discrimination to help improve the status of women, girls and other marginalized gender identities such as transgender people and gender non-conforming people in the City of Norwalk. The Commission considers the multiple, intersecting forms of discrimination that affect women, girls and other marginalized gender identities by conducting programs of education, study, and research.

About Monica Brown

Monica N. Brown is a TEDx candidate, educator, doctoral candidate, entrepreneur, and mother of two whose life’s work centers on resilience, equity, and empowerment. Her journey in Norwalk Public Schools began in food service, where she worked for five years before transitioning into education as a literacy interventionist for two years. She now serves as a fifth-grade teacher at Tracey Magnet School, where she has taught for the past four years, advocating fiercely for marginalized students and those with IEPs.

Monica is currently pursuing her Doctor of Education in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, with research focused on building educator capacity to improve literacy outcomes for underserved learners. She is also the founder of KenDer Rise Coffee Co., a brand rooted in resilience, community, and legacy-building.

Through her signature talk, The D.R.E.A.M. Experience (Do Remember Everyone Ain’t Meant to Break You), Monica challenges deficit narratives and reframes adversity as fuel for growth. As a proud mother of two, she brings authenticity, heart, and transformative energy to every stage she steps on.