Proud to join with Senate colleagues in recognizing International Women’s Day. I honored the trailblazing achievements of Brooklynite Shirley Chisholm: the first black woman elected to the House of Representatives, founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus, founding member of the Congressional Women's Caucus, the first black person to run as a major party candidate for the presidency, and first woman to run as a major party candidate for the presidency.

I was also proud to honor my mother on International Women’s Day – her support, her perseverance, and her love allowed me to pursue higher education, become an attorney, and gain the honor of representing the people of Central Brooklyn in the New York State Senate today.