LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating March 2009 as both Women's History
and Women of Distinction Month in the State of New York

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, 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 (1902-1992), 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 "firsts" 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 Madame 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), actor and president of Desilu Productions, the
first woman to lead a major Hollywood production company; New York City
Correction Commissioner Katharine Bement Davis (1860-1935), the 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; Belva Lockwood
(1830-1917), the first woman to practice law before the United States
Supreme Court; and Sandra Day O'Connor, the first female justice of the
Supreme Court of the United States, appointed by Ronald Reagan; and
WHEREAS, This year, 22 extraordinary women are being honored upon the
occasion of their designation as recipients of a 2009 Woman of
Distinction Award; this prestigious designation recognizes each and
every one of them for making their communities a safer and better place
to live; this auspicious occasion will be celebrated with a Reception on
Saturday, June 6, 2009, at the Sandel Center, Rockville Centre, New
York; and
WHEREAS, The distinguished 2009 Women of Distinction honorees include:
Joyce Berry, Lisa Conte, Nancy Fischer, Cecele Friedman, Tillie
Genovese, Terri Sue Glass, Marsha Guerrir, Debbi Gyulay, Mary Herman,

Patricia Huber, Mary Ann Hughes, Britt Klein, Diane Laukaitis, Joan
LoBello, Carol Manly, Patricia Mason, Patricia Ann McDonald, Diana
Pirrone, Jeannine Rey, Claudia Siegel, Betsy Transom, and Ruth Anne
Zwarico; 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, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate March 2009 as both Women's History and Women of Distinction
Month in the State of New York, and to congratulate this year's Women of
Distinction; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the aforementioned honorees.