LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the induction of three new induc-
tees into the New York State Senate's Historical Women of Distinction
2016 exhibit

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, It is the purpose of this Legislative Body to induct three
new honorees for the year 2016: trailblazing attorney and Judge Jane
Bolin (1908-2007) of Poughkeepsie and New York City; actress, singer and
spokeswoman Annette Funicello (1942-2013) of Utica; surgeon and legisla-
tor Dr. Elizabeth Gillette (1874-1965) of Schenectady; 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 "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; America's first trained nurse Linda
Richards (1841-1930); 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), actor 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, 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 the induction of three new inductees into the New York State
Senate's Historical Women of Distinction 2016 exhibit; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the National Women's Hall of Fame and the New York State
Division for Women.