Honor Women in Public Office

19, 2019, in conjunction with the observance of Women's History Month WHEREAS, The State of New York is home to countless women who have contributed to the advancement of our culture through both their traditional and non-traditional roles in society; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to celebrate Women in Public Office Day on March 19, 2019, in conjunction with the observance of Women's History Month; and WHEREAS, Since March 2019 is Women's History Month, there is no better time to celebrate the accomplishments and selfless service of elected women; on Tuesday, March 19, 2019, individuals are encouraged to join the National Foundation for Women Legislators (NFWL) for a social media movement to celebrate Women In Public Office Day; and WHEREAS, The State of New York joins the State of Wisconsin, Mount Holyoke City Council in Massachusetts, Perris City Council in California, Republic County in Kansas, and Trenton City Council in New Jersey in passing legislation to honor and recognize the hard work and sacrifices women make each and every day to serve their constituents; and WHEREAS, Since 1938, NFWL has worked diligently to empower and inspire elected women to become thoughtful leaders by providing strategic resources for leadership development, exchange of diverse legislative ideas, and effective governance through conferences, state outreach, educational materials, professional and personal relationships, and networking; and WHEREAS, Since 1971, the number of women serving in state legislatures has more than quintupled; today, they hold 1,832, or 24.8% of the 7,383 seats nationwide; currently, 25 women serve in the United States Senate and 102 serve in the United States House of Representatives, while 86 women hold statewide elective office; of those, there are nine women Governors, 15 Lieutenant Governors, seven Attorneys General and 11 Secretaries of State; and WHEREAS, From Washington, DC to local city councils, women are making a big difference in politics and how our country is run; women chair numerous committees, they influence policy and they understand the importance of building bipartisan coalitions in support of the nation's most pressing concerns to ensure widespread change in both thought and policy on a variety of issues; and WHEREAS, On March 19, 2019, NFWL encourages women to take leadership roles and form connections across the aisle; by working together, women can achieve their goals; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to celebrate Women in Public Office Day on March 19, 2019, in conjunction with the observance of Women's History Month; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the National Foundation for Women Legislators.