Assembly Resolution No. 160

BY: M. of A. Lupardo

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
March 8, 2017, as Women's Day in the State of New
York, in conjunction with the observance of
International Women's Day

WHEREAS, March 8th is International Women's Day; and

WHEREAS, In 1977, the United Nations proclaimed March 8th as
International Women's Day to commemorate the 145 women killed in a fire
at the Triangle Shirtwaist Company in New York City on March 25, 1911;
and

WHEREAS, Discrimination continues to deny women full political and
economic equality and is often the basis for violations of women's basic
human rights; and

WHEREAS, The World Health Organization asserts that domestic
violence causes more deaths and disability than cancer, malaria, traffic
accidents, and war among women between the ages of 15 and 44; and

WHEREAS, Women account for half of all cases of HIV/AIDS worldwide,
approximately 42 million; furthermore, in countries with the highest
rates, young women are at a higher risk than young men of contracting
HIV/AIDS; and

WHEREAS, Women comprise almost 15 percent of the active duty,
reserve, and guard units of the United States Armed Forces; and

WHEREAS, Women work two-thirds of the world's working hours, and
produce half of the world's food supply, yet earn only one percent of
the world's income, and own less than one percent of the world's
property; and

WHEREAS, Illegal trafficking worldwide for forced labor, domestic
servitude, or sexual exploitation involves approximately two million
women and children each year, of whom 50,000 are transported to the
United States; and

WHEREAS, International Women's Day is a time to reflect on progress
made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and
determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in
the history of their countries and communities; and

WHEREAS, New York State has a distinguished history of monumental
achievements in the area of women's rights; and

WHEREAS, In 1826, New York State opened one of the first public high
schools for girls which resulted in a future for women where they were
no longer confined to domestic responsibilities, a future where they
were able to be educated and able to use this education to strengthen
their political, social, and civic voice; and

WHEREAS, In 1848 in New York, the first women's rights convention
was held in Seneca Falls to secure all women the right to vote; and

WHEREAS, In 1968, New York State Assemblywoman Shirley Chisholm
became the first black woman elected to Congress, and in 1972 she ran
for President of the Unite States, another first for black women; and

WHEREAS, In 1970, New York City was the site of the First Women's
Strike for Equality in which 50,000 people marched for equal rights; and

WHEREAS, In 1983, New York State women legislators established the
Legislative Women's Caucus to improve the participation of women in all
areas of government, support issues that benefit women, and provide a
network of support for women in the State Legislature; and

WHEREAS, Today, 58 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; and

WHEREAS, On this day, the progress that has been made may be
celebrated but also contemplate those areas of women's lives where more
can be done; and

WHEREAS, International Women's Day addresses the social, economic,
and political barriers still facing women and girls while celebrating
their achievements and the progress that have been made in support of
women's equality; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 8, 2017, as
Women's Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance
of International Women's Day; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York; and the Legislative Women's Caucus of New York State.