Women’s Equality Agenda report

By Shaina Capellupo

The 2014 legislative session came to a close with the Assembly and Senate in a deadlock over the Women's Equality Act for the second year in a row. Although the WEA did not pass, Metro Justice has been on the frontlines working with the Statewide and Finger Lakes Coalition ready to make equality for NY women a reality for the future.

In May, Metro Justice focused much of our efforts on speaking with and targeting NY State Senator Joe Robach. We held a rally outside his office on May 9^th and lobbied on May 15^th. In the beginning of June, the Metro Justice campaign committee coordinated efforts asking our members in Sen. Robach’s district to call him and demand a vote on WEA.

On June 16^th, Metro Justice, along with Alternatives for Battered Women, Genesee Valley Chapter of the NYCLU , Greater Rochester Area Branch of the American Association of University Women, League of Women Voters of Rochester Metropolitan Area, National Organization for Women - Greater Rochester Chapter, National Council of Jewish Women, Greater Rochester Section, Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York, Rochester & Genesee Valley Area Labor Federation, SEIU 1199, and YWCA of Rochester & Monroe County helped coordinate a visibility event at the American Association of University Women on East Avenue in an effort to continue to show the public and our senators that we support all ten components of the Women’s Equality Act. We had nearly 100 attendees, plus press coverage of the event. We showed our true power and what we are willing to do to win.

The hard work of all our MJ members, Finger Lakes Coalition Partners, and by our legislators to push the WEA has made a big difference. Anyone who advocates for social justice knows we have to be in this for the long haul to ensure Women’s Equality! I’m so proud of the work that we’ve done this year, and I know that with your continued support and enthusiasm for justice we will get the Women’s Equality Act passed in 2015.