Senate Resolution No. 2568

BY: Senator RAMOS

RECOGNIZING the New York Chapter of the National
Domestic Workers Alliance

WHEREAS, From time to time, this Legislative Body takes note of
certain organizations whom it wishes to recognize for their valued
contributions and to publicly acknowledge their endeavors which have
enhanced the basic humanity among us all; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
recognize the New York Chapter of the National Domestic Workers
Alliance; and

WHEREAS, Born on October 13, 1924, Dorothy Bolden began working as a
domestic worker at the age of nine and continued for 50 years; in the
early 1960s, she started educating and advocating for the rights of
domestic workers such as nannies, caregivers of the elderly, and house
cleaners; and

WHEREAS, In 1968, on the advice and encouragement of her neighbor,
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Dorothy Bolden founded the National
Domestic Workers Union of America (NDWUA); the NDWUA eventually
represented more than 30,000 domestic workers across 10 cities and was
the longest-surviving union of domestic workers in U.S. cities; Dorothy
Bolden helped legitimize and organize domestic workers on a scale the
country had never seen before and as a result, deserves the highest
praise and recognition for her unrelenting and admirable efforts; and

WHEREAS, Each year, the National Domestic Workers Alliance and We
Dream in Black celebrate Dorothy Bolden's birthday and the legacy she
left for domestic workers; this year marks what would be her 100th
birthday; and

WHEREAS, In 2010, New York became the first state to win a Domestic
Workers Bill of Rights, a benefit that undoubtedly was able to come to
fruition as a result of the lifelong efforts of Dorothy Bolden and other
pioneers alike; and

WHEREAS, Domestic workers in New York play a pivotal role in the
country's electoral landscape, mirroring a national trend of systemic
inequities that are limiting many voters to thrive in their communities,
ranging from healthcare access to rising cost of living and a worsening
care crisis; despite New York's pioneering efforts, being the first
state to pass a Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, the struggle continues
for fair pay, adequate benefits, and robust legal protections; and

WHEREAS, In June 2007, over 50 domestic workers from across the
country met in Atlanta, Georgia as part of the first United States
Social Forum (USSF) for a national domestic worker gathering; they came
together to support their organizing through exchanges and
capacity-building and represented thousands of childcare, house
cleaning, and home care workers who were organizing across the country
for dignity and justice; and


WHEREAS, On the final day of the gathering these domestic workers
made a groundbreaking decision to form a national organization - the
National Domestic Worker Alliance; and

WHEREAS, The New York Chapter lifts up the voices and experiences of
New York domestic workers through organizing, storytelling, workforce
development, and leadership development; the New York Chapter of NDWA
offer know your rights trainings; support for domestic workers to
recover stolen wages; leadership trainings and workforce development
trainings; and

WHEREAS, Powered by a proud tradition of domestic workers tirelessly
organizing against long-standing exclusion from fundamental labor law
protections, NDWA is both a national federation of 70 affiliate
grassroots organizations, 7 local chapters, and a national membership
organization where domestic workers can connect with each other and
participate in creating social change; and

WHEREAS, The National Domestic Workers Alliance's New York Chapter
members stand in the strong and proud legacy of Dorothy Bolden's work
and resistance; and

WHEREAS, The New York Chapter of the NDWA has won a Division of Paid
Care in New York City's Department of Consumer and Worker Protection;
added protections for domestic workers against sexual harassment at the
New York City and New York State level; the inclusion of domestic
workers in the first-of-its-kind Paid Safe and Sick Leave in NYC, and
then extending sick days for domestic workers for a total of 5 sick days
in New York City; inclusion in the State's Paid Family Leave law so that
domestic workers may take maternity leave or leave to care for a loved
one; and since 2016, the organization has recovered over $500,000 in
stolen wages for domestic workers through our domestic worker specific
legal clinic; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens
of the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
recognize the New York Chapter of the National Domestic Workers
Alliance; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the New York Chapter of the National Domestic Workers
Alliance.