Friday, March 8, was International Women’s Day, and Alloy 26 in Nova Place hosted a day of free activities to celebrate.

By Bryanna Luster and Ashlee Green

The second annual Alloy 26 International Women’s Day celebration took place on Friday, March 8 with a full day of free activities.

The festivities began with a light breakfast from Einstein’s bagels and coffee from Commonplace Coffee. Childcare was also available on-site for those in attendance.

“We want to make it accessible for everyone,” said Ashlee Christensen, office manager of Faros Properties, where Alloy 26 is housed. “[We want to] bring women together, talk about diversity, inclusion, women supporting women, building each other up.”

Representatives from local businesses in support of women were there to give out information and merchandise. Businesses included Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania, Crisis Center North and D&M Chiropractic and Therapeutic Rehab, Inc. Crisis Center North offers resources to victims of domestic violence and their families. Kesa Ahomana, economic empowerment advocate for the Center said they’ve been serving women in the area for 40 years.

Other activities included presentations from high-profile Pittsburgh women including Wilkinsburg Mayor Marita Garrett, free massages, a donation-based restorative yoga class sponsored by Union Fitness and free coworking space.

Christensen said there’s not a lot of programming, especially free programming, available for women in the area. The goal of the event, she said, was to bring women of the Northside, and women in Pittsburgh in general, together.

Alloy 26 is a coworking space located in Nova Place in the Northside. It’s located at 100 South Commons, 15212. For more information, including membership details, visit www.alloy26.com, call 412-224-5245 or email info@alloy26.com.