(New York, NY, Wednesday, September 1, 2021) – The Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York (WBASNY) applauds Governor Kathy Hochul for proclaiming August 26, 2021 as Women’s Equality Day.

The Bill designating the date was introduced in 1971 by Rep. Bella Abzug of New York and passed by the U.S Congress in 1973 commemorating the passage of the 19th amendment in 1920 granting women the right to vote. Governor Hochul signed the Proclamation recognizing Women’s Equality Day on her third day in office as New York State’s first female Governor.

Governor Hochul directed 13 New York State landmarks be illuminated in purple and gold through the night, stating “Women around the world should follow whatever dreams they have for themselves and rest assured they can overcome any obstacle in their way.”   With the Proclamation, New York State joined in the national observance of Women’s Equality Day, which commemorated the 101st Anniversary of Women’s Suffrage in the United States of America.

WBASNY salutes and thanks Governor Hochul for her commitment to equality for all women.

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The Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York (WBASNY) is the professional membership organization of choice for more than 4,000 attorneys throughout New York State, and the largest statewide women’s bar association in the country.  For four decades, WBASNY has been a singularly important resource for women lawyers, with professional networking, continuing legal education programming, leadership training, and advocacy for the rights of women, children, and families.  Through involvement with WBASNY’s 20 regional chapters and its 40-plus substantive law committees, WBASNY’s members collaborate with one another on a variety of issues and perform public and community service, in furtherance of its mission to promote the advancement of the status of women in society and women in the legal profession; to promote the fair and equal administration of justice; and to act as a unified voice for its members with respect to issues of statewide, national and international significance to women generally and women attorneys in particular. WBASNY holds United Nations NGO status with the U.N.’s Department of Public Information, and Special Consultative status in association with the U.N. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). WBASNY is also a founding member of the National Conference of Women’s Bar Associations.