Senator Michelle Hinchey has announced legislation (S8249/A9405) that would designate March 8 of each year as International Women’s Day in the State of New York as a way to commemorate the achievements of New York women throughout history and current leaders who continue to pave the way in the advancement of women’s rights.
International Women’s Day has been celebrated across the globe for more than a century, sparked by a range of labor and social justice movements to eventually become an official observance recognized by the United Nations in 1975. The federally-recognized day coincides with Women’s History Month in the U.S. and is celebrated by 27 countries. Hinchey’s bill to formalize Women’s Day as a state holiday in New York has the support of over 40 labor and social justice organizations across the state.
Senator Michelle Hinchey said, “New York has always led the way in the fight for women’s equality and stands as a shining beacon of progress for our nation and the world. Recognizing International Women’s Day as a state holiday is an opportunity to honor the women of New York who have blazed the trail for the next generation while reaffirming our enduring commitment to fight for a world that ensures our full and equitable participation in every aspect of life. Investing in women is one of the most powerful actions a society can make in building a better future and commemorating Women’s Day on March 8 would be a step forward in recognizing that work. From those making history today to the pioneers who lit the flame for us, we are proud to carry on the strength of their vision to make New York an equitable place for us all.”
Assemblymember Karines Reyes, Assembly sponsor of A9405, said, “Designating ‘New York State Women’s Day’, or March 8, a public holiday is vital to acknowledging the work and contributions of women throughout our state and the world. In times of crisis and struggle, women have powered our economic and social recovery, as essential workers, artists, activists and other various professions. New York women deserve the reflection, state recognition and respect of a public holiday. I am proud to introduce this bill with State Senator Hinchey and have the support of a broad coalition of advocacy groups and organized labor for this proposal.”
Minerva Solla, Chair, Women’s Coalition Red Carpet For Justice, said, “I am so proud of my state senator Michelle Hinchey for introducing the State Bill S8249 designating March 8 as a public holiday for NY State. It is so timely during this period when women are increasingly finding their voices and throwing off the yoke of second class citizenry. Women have held the frontlines during the pandemic and will continue being the pillars. It’s time to celebrate the human beings who with great care and thoroughness have birthed the world.”
New York has been home to many remarkable women who have made tremendous sacrifices for equity and equality in our communities and have been true leaders in the fight for women’s rights. Sojourner Truth (1797-1883), who lived the first three decades of her life in Ulster County, fought to end slavery and was one of the most powerful advocates for civil and women’s rights in the 19th century. Truth was followed by countless other pioneering New York women, including Sarah J. Smith Thompson Garnet (1831-1911), the first Black woman to found a suffrage organization and the first Black woman to become a principal in the New York City school system. In 1821, women’s rights activist Emma Hart Willard (1787-1870) opened the Troy Female Seminary in Troy, New York, the first in the country founded to provide young women with the same high school education as their male peers, delivering first-ever opportunities for local women to pursue endeavors outside of the home and through rigorous curriculum offerings in the sciences, mathematics, and languages.
A turning point in the fight for women’s equality and an extraordinary moment in New York history happened in July 1848 when a group of pioneering suffragettes convened the first women’s rights convention in the United States in Seneca Falls, New York. The Seneca Falls Convention launched the women’s suffrage movement and named the right to vote as one of its keystones. It would take 72 more years of unrelenting activism before women would secure their right to vote through the 19th Amendment and decades more to see those rights enforced for women of color.
In 1983, women legislators in the New York State Senate established the Legislative Women’s Caucus to improve the participation of women in all areas of government and create a network of support for women in the State Legislature. Today, 72 women serve in the New York State Legislature, one of the most diverse legislative bodies in our state’s history, holding leadership positions in both houses and bringing the expertise and experiences of women into the sphere of public policy.