“Organize, agitate, educate, must be our war cry,” Susan B. Anthony said as she led the nascent women’s rights movement in America. Her words were powerful, but change is hard. Change can take time. Anthony, however, recognized that progress is always worth it. It took over 70 years for women to secure the right to vote – from the start of the battle for women’s suffrage in 1848 until the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920. It was strong women like Anthony who took action and didn’t stop fighting until they achieved justice.

We celebrate Women’s History Month in March to appreciate how far women have come and recognize there is always more we can accomplish in order to achieve true women’s equality. New York has long been a leader when it comes to advancing the rights of women. Beginning with the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848, to new women’s equality laws that took effect this year, women’s protections here in New York State are now stronger than ever.

This past year, New York took a major step forward and enacted laws to protect women on the job, including prohibiting employers from paying women less than men for performing similar work. For too long women have been underpaid, making a mere 78 cents for every dollar a man earns.¹ While this law is needed progress, we must keep working to achieve full pay equity.

Addressing several gaps in workplace protections, the measure gives women the right to discuss and share information about salaries and recover litigation costs when they’re paid unequal wages. And because working mothers are often put at a disadvantage in areas of employment and promotion, employers are now prohibited from discriminating against employees based on family status. Additionally, employers must make reasonable accommodations for pregnant and nursing employees.

The Legislature also strengthened existing laws to help victims of human trafficking and domestic violence. We are all horrified by stories of girls and women who have suffered these heinous crimes. Under the new laws, victims will have better protections and perpetrators will face stronger penalties. Both of these measures will help victims to protect themselves, see justice done and put an end to criminal abuse and exploitation.

But our work doesn’t end there. The Assembly continues to fight for laws that put women and families first. Recently, I helped pass critical paid family leave legislation that would give workers the ability to take time off to care for a sick family member or bond with a new child. Family should always come first and this workplace protection is long overdue.

This month, as we celebrate the great strides women have made over the years, we must also recognize the need to continue to stand up for women’s rights whenever possible.

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