When I found out my Official Point of View was being published during Women’s History Month I was thrilled because it would give me the opportunity to highlight some of my favorite female heroes, and to share the progress we have made as a state during my time in office. The stories of Harriet Tubman, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, among so many others, highlight that the American story cannot be written without recognizing the contributions of these trailblazers. On a local level, my mother, County Clerk and former Assemblywoman Audrey Pheffer, and pioneers like Barbara Hillary broke proverbial glass ceilings and in Ms. Hillary’s case literally climbed mountains so that women could have the chance to make a difference for our community. I am so thankful for the opportunity that I have as a legislator to create policy to help the injustices that women face, because in New York we have accomplished so much to make women’s lives better across the state.

Women have come a long way from being denied the right to vote only 100 years ago. Back then, there was not a single Assemblywoman – I’m glad that’s changed! The first female legislator was elected in 1917. Fast forward to today and there are over 50, including the first ever female and first African American Majority Leader, Assemblywoman Crystal People-Stokes. When I was elected in 2016, my mother and I became the first ever Mother and Daughter to hold the same Assembly seat. Through my work as a member of the Legislative Women’s Caucus, we’ve expanded the definition of economic development to include policy creating investments, incentives and the development of businesses that have childcare to increase job opportunities for women. Additionally, I helped pass legislation that ensures that an employer can’t ask or use your salary history against you, ensuring that women who take time off to help raise their families will not have that held against them when they’re looking to get back into the work force. It’s these accomplishments and being able to fight for the women who can’t put their name on a bill but do so much to make a difference in their communities that make me so proud of the work we do in the Assembly.

The true unsung heroes are the outstanding and resilient women on this peninsula. That’s why one of my most important events is my Women of Distinction Celebration. This event holds a special place in my heart because there are so many unsung heroes in this community, and they should be celebrated! For example, previous Woman of Distinction Bridget Klapinski, who rose up the ranks of the Rockaway Beach Civic Association to become President and is involved in so many causes. Or Felicia Johnson, who advocates so tirelessly for our community. Her involvement as a civic leader helps give a voice to the voiceless, and her dedication to our community makes her an unsung hero.

These are just two examples of women from the outstanding, unsung, and resilient women who populate not just our local neighborhoods but are found throughout our entire state. Women like them are everywhere, and during Women’s History Month I want to personally thank all women – outstanding, resilient and unsung – that make these contributions every day around the world.

If you would like to nominate someone to be a Woman of Distinction please call my office at 718-945-9550 for a form, or visit my website https://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Stacey-Pheffer-Amato/.