LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim March 2011, as Women's History Month in the State of New York,
and commemorating the New York State Senate's "Women of Distinction"
tribute

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge and
celebrate individuals and events of historic significance which add
vitality, sensitivity, understanding and inspiration to the diversity
and value of the people of this great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Women of every economic, ethnic and religious background have
made significant contributions that are reflected in our cultural,
social, educational, industrial and economic diversity, and have
contributed in many ways, including as writers, educators, scientists,
heads of state, politicians, civil rights crusaders, artists, entertain-
ers, businesswomen, military personnel, aviators, entrepreneurs, philan-
thropists, health professionals, engineers, religious leaders, judges,
lawyers, law enforcement personnel, athletes, mothers, nurturers and the
building blocks of our communities; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to induct three new
honorees for the year 2011: America's first trained nurse, Linda Rich-
ards of Potsdam (1841-1930); women's advocate, Mary Wiltsie Fuller of
Troy and the Glens Falls area (1862-1943); and the first African-Ameri-
can female doctor in New York and the third in the Nation, Susan Smith
McKenney Steward (1847-1918) of Brooklyn; and
WHEREAS, Women who have become part of New York's lasting heritage by
fighting against stereotypes, prejudice and seemingly insurmountable
obstacles, include Sojourner Truth (1797-1883), former slave and famous
activist; Harriet Tubman (1820-1913), best-known "conductor" of the
Underground Railroad and promoter of black education and women's rights;
suffragettes Susan B. Anthony (1820-1906) and Elizabeth Cady Stanton
(1815-1902); world renowned folk artist Grandma Moses (1860-1961); famed
reporter Nellie Bly (1867-1922); Sybil Ludington (1761-1839), known as
the "female Paul Revere"; Barbara McClintock (1901-1992), Nobel Prize-
winning genetic scientist; and "First Lady of the World," Eleanor Roose-
velt (1884-1962); and
WHEREAS, New York State has been, and continues to be, the home to
many distinguished women who have made their mark in history as the
first in their field to succeed; representative of these "first" are
contributions by women such as: Lady Deborah Moody (1586-1659), first
woman grantee for land ownership in the New World; Elizabeth Blackwell
(1821-1910), first female physician; Emma Willard (1787-1870), founder
of the first endowed institution of education for women; hairdressing
entrepreneur Madam C.J. Walker (1867-1919), Harlem leader and first
self-made female millionaire in the U.S.; Buffalonian Louise Blanchard
Bethune (1856-1913), first professional female architect in the Nation;
Lucille Ball (1911-1989), actress and president of Desilu Productions,
the first woman to lead a major Hollywood production company; Katharine
Bement Davis (1860-1935), New York City Correction Commissioner, first
woman to head a major City agency; Winifred Edgerton Merrill
(1862-1951), the first American woman to receive a Ph.D. in Mathematics;
Dr. Mary Edwards Walker (1832-1919), the first and only woman to be
presented with the Congressional Medal of Honor; and Belva Lockwood
(1830-1917), the first woman to practice law before the United States
Supreme Court; and
WHEREAS, September 11, 2011, will mark the 10-year Anniversary of the
unprecedented tragedy that befell our State and Nation on September 11,
2001; this year we again remember "Women of Distinction" honorees Moira

Smith, a decorated NYPD Officer; Captain Kathy Mazza, the first female
commandant of the Port Authority Police Training Academy; and Yamel
Merino, New York State's 2001 Emergency Medical Technician of the Year,
all of whom were among the first responders on the scene at the World
Trade Center, literally saving the lives of hundreds; and
WHEREAS, The horrific events of September 11th shone a bright light on
the heroic actions of emergency service workers' working side by side,
running stride for stride, women and men worked together tirelessly to
rescue and recover victims; Women of Distinction commemorates the role
that women have always played in serving our communities as emergency
and rescue workers, and pay special tribute to the women heroes on the
10th Anniversary of 9/11 who made the ultimate sacrifice; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body recognizes that New York State is the
home to countless women who are strong and colorful threads, vital to
the fabric of our rich heritage, who have contributed, and continue to
add to the advancement of our culture through their traditional and
non-traditional roles in society; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, This Legislative Body pause in its deliberation to memorial-
ize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 2011, as Women's History
Month in the State of New York, and to commemorate the New York State
Senate's "Women of Distinction," a time to recognize the unique and
enduring contributions of women throughout New York State and the
Nation; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York; Lieutenant Governor Robert Duffy; the National Women's Hall of
Fame; and the New York State Division for Women.