In 1852, activists gathered in Syracuse to fight for equality at the third national Women’s Rights Convention. New York has remained at the forefront of the women’s rights movement ever since, but, despite significant gains, many women still lack full equality. On Aug. 26, I hope you’ll join me in observing Women’s Equality Day, which reminds us not only of the strides we have taken in securing full and equal rights for women but also of the importance of continuing the fight.

Unfortunately, women in Onondaga County earn an average of $132 less per week than their male coworkers, and this disparity is compounded by the fact that almost 40,000 local households are partially or wholly dependent on a mother’s income.¹ The financial impact of this injustice can be devastating for our families. That’s why I worked hard this year to pass legislation that would ensure women receive equal pay for equal work, and I won’t stop fighting until every woman receives the compensation she rightfully deserves (A.6075).

While ensuring women are paid equally is a strong step toward strengthening women’s rights in the workplace, there’s still more that can be done. For far too long, women have been forced to choose between a paycheck and their family. I helped pass legislation this year that would end pregnancy and family status discrimination in the workplace once and for all by requiring employers to provide reasonable accommodations for pregnant employees and prohibiting them from denying work or promotional opportunities based on family needs (A.4272, A.7317).

In addition, I fought to extend the prohibition on sexual harassment in the workplace to include businesses with fewer than four employees (A.5360). Sixty percent of workplaces fall into this category, and yet their female employees do not receive the protections they deserve.² Strengthening protections for all women is a common-sense measure that would drastically improve working conditions throughout our state.

Another measure I helped pass would give uninsured, expectant mothers the opportunity to enroll in a health insurance plan at any time, regardless of whether it falls outside of a designated enrollment period (A.6780). Unfortunately, many pregnant women without health insurance may forgo prenatal care because they can’t afford it, putting them at higher risk for life-threatening conditions. By allowing expectant mothers to access health insurance at any time, we can help encourage proper prenatal care and promote the long-term health and well-being of our families.

Strong women such as Susan B. Anthony and local native Matilda Joslyn Gage put their hearts and souls into making full and equal rights for women a reality, and I’m committed to continuing their fight, because when women succeed, our communities succeed. As always, my door is open. Should you have any questions about Women’s Equality Day, women’s rights or any other issue, please don’t hesitate to contact me at StirpeA@assembly.state.ny.us or by calling 452-1115.

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