March is just around the corner, and that means it’ll soon be Women’s History Month – a time to reflect on the incredible accomplishments of women as well as recognize the individuals who are making a difference today in our community. It’s with this in mind that I’ll be hosting my 7^th annual Women of Distinction Awards ceremony to honor the women who are strengthening Central New York.

Prominent women throughout our nation’s history have been an inspiration to young girls everywhere – women like Juliette Gordon Low, who founded the Girl Scouts in 1912, which has grown to become the world’s largest and most successful organization for girls.[1] Prominent civil rights activist and poet Maya Angelou is another example. Angelou’s messages of tolerance and inclusion are still as critical today as they were over 50 years ago during the height of the civil rights movement. Angelou’s poetry and groundbreaking autobiographical works earned her over 50 honorary doctorate degrees before her death in 2014.[2]

New York State has a long history of influential women who’ve not only shaped our state, but also our country. Our own Matilda Joslyn Gage, as well as Elizabeth Cady Stanton of Johnstown were prominent social justice activists who fought for women’s suffrage as well as the abolition of slavery.[3]^,[4] Both Gage’s childhood home and her home after she married were stations in the Underground Railroad.[5]

Today, New York women continue to make history and show determination in the face of adversity. In 2009, Bronx native Sonia Sotomayor became the first Latina and third woman ever to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.[6]

The work of these extraordinary women is just a portion of the countless contributions women have made to our country, and it’s these efforts, whether large or small, that helped shape the fabric of our nation. This is why I’m encouraging Central New Yorkers to nominate someone they know who is helping pave the way to a stronger community and brighter future For Central New York.

The deadline for nominations is Friday, March 15. They can be submitted through my website – nyassembly.gov/Stirpe – or by stopping into my office at 7293 Buckley Road, Suite 201, N. Syracuse. The Women of Distinction Awards ceremony will be held on Saturday, April 13, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Fayetteville Village Hall Courtroom at 425 E. Genesee St.

If you have any questions about the nomination process, the event or any other community issues, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can call my office at 315-452-1115 or send an email to StirpeA@nyassembly.gov. I look forward to hearing about the incredible women in your life and how they’ve inspired you.