Senate Resolution No. 913

BY: Senator STEWART-COUSINS

RECOGNIZING March 8, 2017, as International
Women's Day

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

WHEREAS, International Women's Day was celebrated for the first time
by the United Nations in 1975; then in December of 1977, the United
Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming a United
Nations Day for Women's Rights and International Peace to be observed on
any day of the year by Member States, in accordance with their
historical and national traditions; 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, Women comprise almost 15 percent of the active duty,
reserve, and guard units of the United States Armed Forces; 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; 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 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
recognize March 8, 2017, as International Women's Day; and be it further


RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Legislative Women's Caucus of New York State.