By: Samantha Hubble

To begin Women’s History Month, The University of Akron hosts a “Women Trailblazers” event each year.

A panel of women who have excelled in their fields will be in attendance for discussion Thursday March 1 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Martin Center,.

The panel of Women Trailblazers includes Melba Vasquez, a psychologist and first woman of color to serve as President of the American Psychological Association.

Also in attendance is the Vice President, General Council and Corporate Secretary of Veyance Technologies, Inc., April Miller Boise.  Veyance Technologies, Inc. is the exclusive manufacturer of Goodyear engineered products.

Panelists in attendance also include Narcissa Polonio, the vice president of education, research and board leadership services at the Association of Community College Trustees and Jennifer A. Thomas, the Akron program director for the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

UA Vice President and Chief of Staff Candace Campbell Jackson will moderate the discussion.  Campbell was named 2009 Professional Woman of the year by The Women of Color Foundation Training and Leadership Development Institute.  Kaleidoscope magazine listed her in its “40-40 Club Class of 2006.