LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION recognizing March 2011 as Women's History Month
in the State of New York

WHEREAS, Women's History Month, celebrated each year in March, is a time
to reflect upon and pay tribute to the women for their contributions to
their communities and their professions; and
WHEREAS, March is Women's History Month, and March 8th is Interna-
tional Women's Day; and
WHEREAS, Each year, New York State officially sets aside time to
recognize the unique and varied contributions that women have made to
New York and its society; and
WHEREAS, New York has been the home of many extraordinary women who
have led society to a better future: Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B.
Anthony led the campaign for women's suffrage; Sojourner Truth spoke out
for the abolition of slavery and for suffrage for women; suffragist
Carrie Chapman Catt became the first president of the League of Women
Voters; Emma Willard opened the first endowed institution for the educa-
tion for women; Civil War surgeon Dr. Mary E. Walker was the only woman
ever awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor; Harriet Tubman was an
abolitionist who led slaves to freedom by way of the Underground Rail-
road; in the 19th century, Elizabeth Blackwell and Belva Lockwood were
the first women in the fields of medicine and law; pioneer birth control
educator and advocate Margaret Sanger established a research center in
New York City; Emma Goldman founded the Free Speech League which led to
the American Civil Liberties Union; humanitarian Eleanor Roosevelt
served as United States Delegate to the United Nations; civil rights
lawyer and New York State Senator Constance Baker Motley became the
first black woman to sit on the U.S. District Court in New York, and so
many more known and unknown women who championed rights and opportunity
for all; and
WHEREAS, Since 1983, New York women legislators have worked through
the bipartisan Legislative Women's Caucus to improve the representation
and participation of women in all areas of government, support issues
that affect women and families in New York State, and provide a network
of support for the women in the state legislature; and
WHEREAS, Today, 48 women serve in the New York State Legislature,
holding leadership positions in both houses and bringing the diverse
experiences of women into law and public policy; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
recognize March 2011 as Women's History Month in the State of New York,
and to honor the Women of New York State; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Legislative Women's Caucus of New York State.