Zenaida Méndez, an Afro-Latina feminist, long-time activist and mother of three accomplished daughters, was recently elected president of the NY State Chapter of NOW. This is a historic achievement, for Ms. Méndez is the first woman of color ever to hold that position in New York State.
NOW chapters across New York State are joining forces with a historically broad coalition of almost 300 organizations, to push the Women’s Equality Agenda forward and secure measures that will advance women’s rights.
“These are issues at the top of our agenda,” said Zenaida Mendez, President of NOW-NYS. “Protecting women’s reproductive rights, ending discrimination in the workplace, establishing pay equity for women and helping victims of human-trafficking and domestic violence.”
“Women in New York State have been fighting for this for many years. This time we will galvanize and mobilize even more women, in the hopes that NOW it will really happen,” said Ann Jamison, president, Central New York NOW in Syracuse.
The Women’s Equality Act is one of the centerpieces of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s 2013 legislative agenda.
The 10-Point Agenda includes:
1. Shatter the glass ceiling, by passing a real equal pay law.
2. Have zero tolerance for sexual harassment in the workplace, period.
3. Strengthen employment, lending and credit discrimination laws.
4. Strengthen human=trafficking laws.
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5. End family status discrimination.
6. Prevent landlords from denying housing to qualified tenants based on the source of funds.
7. Stop housing discrimination for victims of domestic violence.
8. Stop pregnancy discrimination once and for all.
9. Protect victims of domestic violence, by strengthening the order of protection laws.
10. Protect a woman’s freedom of choice; enact a Reproductive Health Act.
“While Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Women’s Equality Act is critical, NOW-NYS will also continue to fight for childcare and early education, increasing the minimum wage to $10 an hour and passing the Family Leave Insurance Act,” added Zenaida Mendez, president of NOW-NYS.
NOW-New York State (NOW-NYS) is the statewide Chapter of NOW in New York State. It is the largest women’s political action organization in New York, reaching over 40,000 women and men in 24 chapters. The chapter is dedicated to fighting for women’s equality, and to improving the status of women in New York.
