LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Karen DeCrow upon the occasion of her
induction into the National Women's Hall of Fame in October 2009

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to take note of and
publicly acknowledge individuals who have distinguished themselves
through their exemplary careers, accomplishments, and purposeful lives
of service and commitment to their community and their profession; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Karen DeCrow, attorney and women's rights activist, upon the occasion of
her induction into the National Women's Hall of Fame during a weekend of
celebration to be held in Seneca Falls, New York on October 10-11, 2009;
and
WHEREAS, Seneca Falls was the location of the first women's rights
convention; held in 1848, it was an event which began the 72 year strug-
gle for women's suffrage, achieved in 1920 when the 19th Amendment to
the Constitution of the United States was ratified, giving women many
rights, including the right to vote, after a long, hard fight by women
and men who believed in the equality and rights of women; and
WHEREAS, The women and men of historic Seneca Falls, the Birthplace of
Women's Rights, founded the National Women's Hall of Fame in Seneca
Falls in 1969, believing that the contributions of American women
deserved a permanent home; and
WHEREAS, The National Women's Hall of Fame, is the oldest organization
dedicated to honoring the achievement of American women and inducts
eight to 10 extraordinary women every other year; and
WHEREAS, Karen DeCrow, a nationally recognized attorney, author and
activist, is one of the most celebrated leaders of the women's movement;
and
WHEREAS, From 1974-1977, she served as the National President of the
National Organization for Women (NOW), where she was instrumental in
obtaining significant legislative and legal gains and tirelessly advo-
cated on behalf of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA); and
WHEREAS, Karen DeCrow has written numerous books and articles and has
lectured throughout the world on such topics as law, gender equality,
and politics; in 1970, she served as National Coordinator of the Women's
Strike, and in 1988 she co-founded World Women Watch; and
WHEREAS, Karen DeCrow, 71, of Pompey, New York graduated from Syracuse
University Law School in 1972; she was nominated to the National Women's
Hall of Fame by the Central New York Women's Bar Association, an organ-
ization she helped found and for which she is a wonderful resource,
especially for those who are relatively new to the bar; and
WHEREAS, A pioneering advocate for women's legal rights, her advocacy
on behalf of women goes back decades and has helped change the way soci-
ety treats women and thinks about women's roles in society; and
WHEREAS, Karen DeCrow now stands among a list of 226 distinguished
women already inducted into this most prestigious membership including:
Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Barbara Jordan, Madeleine Albright, Sandra Day
O'Connor, Shirley Chisholm, Marian Wright Edelman, Amelia Earhart, and
Harriet Tubman; and
WHEREAS, Karen DeCrow is a woman of singular distinction, whose lead-
ership, wisdom, guidance and, most of all, highest standards of profes-
sionalism, have justly earned her this high honor and the recognition
and applause of this Legislative Body and the people of the State of New
York; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Karen DeCrow upon the occasion of her induction into the National
Women's Hall of Fame in October 2009; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Karen DeCrow.