Nearly a century ago, the 19th Amendment was ratified allowing women to access our most sacred democratic institution – the right to vote. It marked a major turning point in American history, finally tackling one of the many injustices faced by women in our nation. It moved us closer to our American ideals of equality and liberty.

While this milestone is a cause for celebration, it’s more important than ever to recognize the trailblazing women who brought us this far and renew our commitment to protecting that progress and making strides of our own.

Whether it’s the anniversary of women’s suffrage on Aug. 18 or Women’s Equality Day on Aug. 26, this month has numerous opportunities to celebrate Central New York’s critical role as the birthplace of the women’s rights movement. Seneca Falls was the site of the first women’s rights convention, which featured keynote speeches from Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Sojourner Truth. Today, it is home to the Women’s Hall of Fame, a museum where you can learn about over 200 remarkable women and their incredible contributions to our country.1

One of our hometown heroes, Matilda Joslyn Gage, a leader of the early women’s rights movement was born right here in Cicero to a family of abolitionists.2 Gage and her husband used their home as a station on the Underground Railroad, and later in life she became a prominent suffragist who worked with Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton to establish the National Woman Suffrage Association.3 I encourage everyone to visit her home in Fayetteville, which is now a museum open to the public. In addition, the Harriet Tubman National Historical Park in Auburn and the Onondaga Historical Association Museum and Research Center in downtown Syracuse are also must-see destinations for those who want to learn about both the anti-slavery and suffrage movements.

I’d also like to encourage you to join me at Women’s Day at the New York State Fair on Wednesday, Aug. 29. There will be a mini-fair featuring women’s advocacy groups from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Chevy Court. All of the Women’s Day participants will also take part in the Special Day Parade starting at 6 p.m.

It’s up to each and every one of us to work together to create a world where everyone – regardless of gender – can live freely and pursue what the American Dream means to them. That’s why we have to continue to protect and expand women’s rights here in New York State. In the Assembly, I’ve helped raise the minimum wage to lift up hardworking Central New Yorkers and establish a paid family leave program so women – and men – don’t have to choose between a paycheck and caring for their families in their time of need. I’ve also supported legislation protecting a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions, because women and their doctors should decide what’s best for them, their bodies and their families. And I’ll keep working to ensure fairness for women and all New Yorkers.

As always, if you have questions about this or any other community issue, feel free to reach out to me at 315-452-1115 or at StirpeA@nyassembly.gov.

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1. womenofthehall.org/about-the-hall/faqs

2. matildajoslyngage.org/gage-home/who-was-matilda-joslyn-gage

3. Ibid.