This year, we have an opportunity to reaffirm New York’s historic commitment to women’s rights. For nearly two centuries, our state has been at the forefront of efforts to end gender discrimination and achieve full equality.
The Women’s Equality Act proposed by Governor Cuomo and now being debated in Albany will renew this legacy for the 21st Century. That’s why I sent letters to all of Westchester’s state representatives yesterday, urging them to pass this important legislation in full.
Every plank in the Women’s Equality Act is vital to the future of our state.
It’s far past time to ensure equal pay for equal work and end the injustice of women earning only 84 cents for every dollar earned by a man.
It’s far past time to crack down on sexual harassment and domestic abuse and to end the scourge of human trafficking.
It’s far past time to make sure women aren’t subject to employment discrimination if they have kids or are pregnant, and aren’t subject to housing discrimination because of their source of income.
And it’s far past time to push back against the national right-wing war on women’s rights by updating New York State law to protect a woman’s right to choose.
I am very proud that here in Westchester, the overwhelming majority of our residents share these goals.
But there is at least one Westchester resident who does not: Rob Astorino.
Rob Astorino rejects a woman’s right to choose. Instead of trusting women to make their own health care decisions, he thinks those decisions should be dictated by the government. He even vetoed legislation to grant women safe access to health care clinics.
Rob Astorino’s extreme record is out of step with our county’s mainstream values. I’m determined to fight for a better alternative and be an advocate for what Westchester believes.
Together, let’s pass the Women’s Equality Act this month, and then elect a new County Executive who will stand up for the right to choose and be a real advocate for equal opportunity.