It is always important to take time to acknowledge the remarkable women in our lives and let them know just how loved and appreciated they are. Women’s History Month is a particularly special time to recognize and celebrate the achievements of all women, past and present, whose efforts build a better and brighter future for everyone.

My annual Women of Distinction Awards spotlight women in our community who might otherwise go unacknowledged. The awards honor the dedicated, compassionate and fearless women who have positively lifted us toward a brighter future. I encourage you to nominate a woman who has made a difference in your life or the lives of others.

Nominations must be submitted by April 5. Nominees must reside in the 146th Assembly District, which encompasses the entire Town of Amherst. You can complete a Women of Distinction form by visiting nyassembly.gov/mem/Karen-McMahon. I look forward to learning about and celebrating the outstanding accomplishments of exceptional women from our community.

The Women of Distinction Awards is not the only way I am working to support New York’s women. As chair of the Assembly Women’s Issues Task Force, I’ve been studying proposed legislation related to women’s issues and identifying priorities, with a focus on legislation that solidifies women’s access to perinatal, reproductive and general health care. The Women’s Issues Task Force has been integral to the fight for women’s rights since its inception in 1981, taking on the responsibility of ensuring that women’s voices are heard and pressing issues are addressed. My staff and I meet with women’s groups and community organizations to stay abreast of the issues facing women in our state. In and out of session, we also work closely with state agencies and other legislators to propose new legislation, promote passage of pending legislation, advocate for funding of programs serving women and review the impact of our state budget.

Earlier this session, the Assembly passed a package of bills to strengthen reproductive health services and tackle maternal and infant mortality. This legislative package included bills to develop new standards for maternal depression screenings, diagnosis and treatment protocols (A2870-B), establish a maternal care and birthing standards working group in the Department of Health (A8207-A), provide insurance coverage for prenatal vitamins (A3865), and increase access to doula care (A7606, A6168-A). Doulas are non-medical professionals who provide emotional and physical support to women during childbirth.

Studies show that access to doulas during childbirth reduces the incidence of cesarean section, postpartum depression and birth complications.

As this year’s legislative session continues, I am determined to continue the Assembly’s commitment to women’s health and well-being. I intend to continue the work of the Women’s Issues Task Force, addressing the most urgent issues facing women statewide, including passage of the Equality Amendment in November. This ballot measure would amend the Equal Protection Clause of the New York Constitution to prohibit a person's rights from being denied based on the person's "ethnicity, national origin, age, [and] disability," as well as the person's "sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity,

gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive healthcare and autonomy." Having passed both houses in two separate legislative sessions, the measure now goes to the voters, and its passage would enshrine reproductive rights and access in the New York State Constitution.

If you have questions or concerns regarding this, or any other issue of community interest, please contact my office at (716) 634-1895 or McMahonK@nyassembly.gov.