Declare Women's Day March 8

March 8, 2017, as Women's Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of International Women's Day WHEREAS, March 8th is International Women's Day; and WHEREAS, In 1977, the United Nations proclaimed March 8th as International Women's Day to commemorate the 145 women killed in a fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Company in New York City on March 25, 1911; and WHEREAS, Discrimination continues to deny women full political and economic equality and is often the basis for violations of women's basic human rights; and WHEREAS, The World Health Organization asserts that domestic violence causes more deaths and disability than cancer, malaria, traffic accidents, and war among women between the ages of 15 and 44; and WHEREAS, Women account for half of all cases of HIV/AIDS worldwide, approximately 42 million; furthermore, in countries with the highest rates, young women are at a higher risk than young men of contracting HIV/AIDS; and WHEREAS, Women comprise almost 15 percent of the active duty, reserve, and guard units of the United States Armed Forces; and WHEREAS, Women work two-thirds of the world's working hours, and produce half of the world's food supply, yet earn only one percent of the world's income, and own less than one percent of the world's property; and WHEREAS, Illegal trafficking worldwide for forced labor, domestic servitude, or sexual exploitation involves approximately two million women and children each year, of whom 50,000 are transported to the United States; and WHEREAS, International Women's Day is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities; and WHEREAS, New York State has a distinguished history of monumental achievements in the area of women's rights; and WHEREAS, In 1826, New York State opened one of the first public high schools for girls which resulted in a future for women where they were no longer confined to domestic responsibilities, a future where they were able to be educated and able to use this education to strengthen their political, social, and civic voice; and WHEREAS, In 1848 in New York, the first women's rights convention was held in Seneca Falls to secure all women the right to vote; and WHEREAS, In 1968, New York State Assemblywoman Shirley Chisholm became the first black woman elected to Congress, and in 1972 she ran for President of the Unite States, another first for black women; and WHEREAS, In 1970, New York City was the site of the First Women's Strike for Equality in which 50,000 people marched for equal rights; and WHEREAS, In 1983, New York State women legislators established the Legislative Women's Caucus to improve the participation of women in all areas of government, support issues that benefit women, and provide a network of support for women in the State Legislature; and WHEREAS, Today, 58 women serve in the New York State Legislature, holding leadership positions in both houses and bringing the diverse experiences of women into law and public policy; and WHEREAS, On this day, the progress that has been made may be celebrated but also contemplate those areas of women's lives where more can be done; and WHEREAS, International Women's Day addresses the social, economic, and political barriers still facing women and girls while celebrating their achievements and the progress that have been made in support of women's equality; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 8, 2017, as Women's Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of International Women's Day; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York; and the Legislative Women's Caucus of New York State.