New York, NY, Wednesday, August 28, 2024 – The Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York (“WBASNY”) commends Governor Kathy Hochul for signing legislation that requires free of charge menstrual products be placed in all public college and university buildings (S.5910-B – Hinchey and A.4060-A – Paulin). WBASNY supported this legislation as it will reduce “period poverty” and ensure access to necessary healthcare products.

By signing this legislation and the accompanying proclamation dedicating August 26th as Women’s Equality Day, Governor Hochul continues to highlight New York State’s dedication to equality. Sex and gender bias have long been pervasive in our social structure and are unfortunately prevalent across the nation. There is still more work to be done, including the passage of a long standing WBASNY priority, the New York Equal Rights Amendment, which will be Proposition 1 on the ballot for the November 2024 election. We are, however, thankful to be in a state, led by strong women, that has consistently demonstrated its support and commitment to equality and the protection of the rights of 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 over 4,000 attorneys throughout New York State and the largest statewide women’s bar association in the country. For more than four decades, WBASNY has been a singularly important resource for women lawyers, providing 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.