Long Island women unite to celebrate mothers by highlighting the Women’s Equality Agenda.
(Babylon, NY) – At a press conference in Argyle Park in Babylon today, advocates stood with the New York Women’s Equality Coalition, Long Island Region to celebrate Mother’s Day. The statewide coalition is comprised of more than 800 businesses, women’s groups, labor groups, civil rights organizations, medical associations, and religious groups all united in demanding equality for women in New York.
“This weekend Mother’s Day will be celebrated in a big way. Phone lines will be buzzing with children saying “I love you Mom”, flower and card sales will skyrocket, and restaurants will be filled to their maximum capacity so Mom doesn’t have to cook,” said Ellen Redmond, the Long Island Coordinator for the NY Women’s Equality Coalition. “Yet in New York women earn 84 percent of what men earn, including working moms. In New York inequality persists throughout the course of a woman’s life, meaning that a woman is twice as likely as a man to live out old age in poverty.”
“I work every day to empower girls to achieve their dreams. It is disheartening to know that, as they grow up, they are still five times more likely than men to be sexually harassed, and far more likely to experience violence in the home and harassment and discrimination at work,” said Neela Lockel, Executive Director of Girls Incorporated of Long Island. “The Women’s Equality Agenda is a step in the right direction to break down the legal barriers women face. Let’s make sure that all women can participate fully and equally in society.”
“Women in New York have struggled with issues like workplace discrimination and unequal pay for too long,” said Barbara Howie, President of Enterprising and Professional Women of New York State. “It is time to put an end to the inequality that exists for women and pass the Women’s Equality Agenda.”
“Join us this weekend to celebrate Mother’s Day in a meaningful way,” said Juhi Kansra, a Long Island organizer who starts graduate school in the fall. “This Mother’s Day, let’s honor all of New York’s women by giving them the gift of equality. I’ll be talking to my mom about pay equity. I will ask her if she has experienced or witnessed discrimination in her life. And then I’m going to ask her to join me in advancing women’s rights by supporting the Women’s Equality Agenda.”
During his State of the State address, Governor Cuomo presented the Women’s Equality Agenda, a 10-point plan to break down barriers women face in the most essential areas of life. The Women’s Equality Agenda will reduce discrimination in the workplace and in housing, improve women’s safety and wellbeing, and ensure equal treatment under the law. Support for the Women’s Equality Agenda began to grow immediately following his announcement and, to date, more than 800 businesses and organizations make up the statewide coalition.
