State landmarks shined purple and gold as Gov. Kathy Hochul declared August 26 “Women’s Equality Day” in New York.
On her third day in office, Hochul signed a proclamation in support of women around the globe. “Women around the world should follow whatever dreams they have for themselves and rest assured they can overcome any obstacle in their way,” Hochul said.
Originally introduced in 1971 by Representative Bella Abzug of New York and passed in 1973 by the U.S. Congress, August 26 was deemed Women’s Equality Day to commemorate the certification of the 19th Amendment in 1920 which granted women the right to vote. Many suffragettes called New York home, as it had been a leader in civil, human, and social rights, and progressive on issues that impact women throughout American history.
Women’s Equality Day is a celebration of how women in the United States worked to gain full rights and privileges as well as securing the right to vote. The celebration and recognition of this day emphasizes how important women’s work towards equality and a democracy are.
As the first female governor of New York state, Hochul joins the national observance of Women’s Equality Day to commemorate the 101st Anniversary of Women’s Suffrage that the United States achieved. Hochul intends to “work to further advance equality for women” as she believes that every individual must be treated equally in all aspects of life.
On the day she took the oath of office, Gov. Hochul instructed on August 24 that 13 landmarks across New York State shine with purple and gold lights for two days to commemorate Women’s Equality Day.
The landmarks that were lit purple and gold included One World Trade Center, the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, the Kosciuszko Bridge, the SUNY Administration Building, the State Education Building, the Alfred E. Smith State Office Building, the State Fairgrounds gates, Niagara Falls, The Mid-Hudson Bridge, Grand Central Terminal – Pershing Square Viaduct, Albany International Airport, The Lake Placid Olympic Complex, and the LIRR Gateway at Penn Station.
“I am honored to be the first woman governor of the state of New York and I hope to send a message to women and girls everywhere that they can be anything they want to be. This Women’s Equality Day, I encourage everyone to look toward the glass ceiling and shatter it – though women have come so far, we still have a way to go,” Hochul said.
