About 200 members gathered at the Bronx borough office on March 14 for a day of self-care, reflection and community at the union’s eighth annual HERstory Celebration Brunch in honor of Women’s History Month.

The event also included an early tribute to the union itself, as attendees sang “Happy Birthday” and shared cake ahead of the UFT’s 66th anniversary on March 16.

Organized by UFT Vice President Janella Hinds, the event blended festivity with wellness. Participants enjoyed brunch and dancing while engaging in activities designed to support their physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. Students from William H. Maxwell Career and Technical Education HS in East New York, Brooklyn, provided services including massages and manicures.

The gathering offered a necessary pause from the demands of daily life, she said. “I think it’s so important for us to carve out the time to celebrate ourselves, to pour into one another and to pause from this really challenging life that we all live,” said Hinds, who emphasized the importance of creating space for connection and renewal, particularly for women balancing professional and personal responsibilities.

Attendees echoed that sentiment. Shirley Wilson, a retired middle school teacher from Queens, described the event as a meaningful reminder of the need for self-care. Looking ahead to a chair yoga session and other offerings of the day, she said the experience underscored the value of taking time to recharge.

For Chapter Leader Tahisha Styron of the HS of Computers and Technology in the Bronx’s Gun Hill section, the day’s workshops provided motivation as well as relaxation. She enjoyed the sessions led by Tamekia Flowers-Ball, founder of wellness company Beats & Flow, which focused on personal growth. Styron said she left the workshop ready to tackle personal goals, including those outlined in a “to do for me” list developed during the seminar. “I feel rejuvenated,” she said.

Attendees also engaged in a HERstory gallery walk, contributing written reflections on how they have empowered themselves and others over the past year. Responses highlighted mentoring, sharing resources, continuing education and practicing mindfulness in daily life.

One prompt — “When was the last time that ‘no’ was a complete sentence?” — resonated strongly with retired teacher Angela Morgan of Queens. She reflected on learning to set boundaries without guilt, describing the shift as liberating. While she continues to value kindness, she said she no longer feels compelled to justify her decisions. “It has been a freeing experience for me,” she said.

Morgan said she plans to return for HERstory next year, citing the event’s sense of camaraderie and the opportunity to exchange ideas. Even in retirement, she added, she remains eager to connect, learn and grow.