Ritchie Named a Leader Among Legislative Women

Selected by Colleagues as Officer of Legislature’s Bipartisan ‘Women’s Caucus’

Senator Patty Ritchie has been elected by her colleagues as one of 14 leaders of the Legislature’s bipartisan Women’s Caucus.

Senator Ritchie was elected a “Delegate-at-Large” of the group, which seeks to improve the participation of women in government, supporting issues affecting women across the state and providing a network of support for women serving in State Legislature. 

“Year after year, we’re seeing more and more women elected to public office and serving in leadership positions in communities across New York State,” said Senator Ritchie, who is the first women to be elected to the Senate form the 48^th District, which includes Jefferson, Oswego and St. Lawrence Counties.

“I’m honored to be elected to serve as an officer of the Legislative Women’s Caucus and am looking forward to working with my colleagues to help advocate for positive changes that create new—and better—opportunities for women.”

Senator Ritchie has been a leader on causes ranging from the Equal Pay bill that seeks to ensure women are paid the same as men performing the same job, stronger protections and increased funding for programs for victims of domestic violence. She was named by the Governor to a special task force that seeks to identify and create small business opportunities for women.

And last month, she unveiled, along with United States Representative Elise Stefanik and Jefferson County District Attorney Cindy Intschert, a new initiative—the Upstate Women’s Leadership Council—to find ways to help women in Central and Northern New York achieve their career goals and personal success.

The post is the latest legislative leadership role for the Senator, who recently was named Deputy Majority Leader for Senate and Assembly Relations.

The Legislative Women’s Caucus is Chaired by Binghamton-area Assemblywomen Donna Lupardo. There are currently 49 women serving in both houses of the Legislature.