An exhibition celebrating Women’s History Month, “Champions of Equality: New York Women and the Equal Rights Amendment,” is on view in the Governor’s Reception Room on the New York State Capitol’s second floor.
“The Women’s Rights Movement started in New York State, and it is only fitting that we honor the women who fought for women’s equality right here in the state capitol,” Governor Hochul said. “These trailblazing women have paved the path forward for generations of women, and their efforts will never be forgotten.”
The 2024 national theme for Women’s History Month is “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity, and the “Champions of Equality: New York Women and the Equal Rights Amendment” exhibition explores the pivotal role New Yorkers had and continue to have in advancing the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA).
The exhibition places a spotlight on:
- Bella Abzug, a civil liberties lawyer and co-founder of the National Women’s Political Caucus in 1971.
- Ruth Bader Ginsburg, an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court who co-founded the Women’s Rights Project at the ACLU and the “Women’s Rights Law Reporter.”
- Crystal Eastman, the first woman to serve on New York State’s Commission on Employers’ Liability and Causes of Industrial Accidents, Unemployment, and Lack of Farm Labor. She co-authored the initial version of the ERA.
- Florynce Kennedy, an early member of the National Organization for Women who founded the Feminist Party and co-founded the National Black Feminist Organization.
- Gloria Steinem, a journalist and social activist who was seen as a leader of the second wave of feminism. She delivered a speech to the U.S. Senate in support of the ERA.
- Julie C. Suk, a Fordham University Law School professor whose legal work centered around constitutional and social change, especially for women. She wrote “We the Women: The Unstoppable Mothers of the Equal Rights Amendment,” the first book chronicling the history of the ERA.
The free Women’s History Month Exhibition will be on view in the Governor’s Reception Room from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays through Friday, March 29. For additional information, visit Empirestateplaza.ny.gov/champions-equality.
