EQUALITY FOR WOMEN & GIRLS

Chair: Marge Ives
Vice Chair: Helen Aronstein

Helen Aronstein; Robert Gangi, Exec. Dir., Correctional Association of NY; Marjorie Ives (at WCC's 90th Anniversary Party, Gracie Mansion) ADVOCACY June 2008: WCC Women's Issues Chair and Executive Director met with the President/CEO and VP/General Manager of the Meadowlands Sports Complex in follow-up to our letters expressing concern with the disrespect of women at Jets Home Games. WCC was introduced to new policies and procedures including a "Fan Code of Conduct" to be implemented throughout the Complex affirming management's commitment to address the problem and create a safe entertainment experience for fans. At WCC's request, the policies were modified to state that each fan will be treated with respect by other fans. April 2008 Joined Equal Pay Alliance to end gender-biased salary discrimination in NYS. March 2008: With coalition of nearly 200 national and local organizations, urged Congress to fully repeal the law that delays or denies financial aid eligibility for college students with drug convictions. In response to WCC's and other organizations' advocacy, additional congressional representatives added their support to the effort. February 2008 Urges Jets football team to stop the disrespect of women at Jets home games. February 2008 Signs on to Welfare Reform Network letter urging increase inwelfare grant. November 2007 Affirms support of sex education in public schools Participating in state-wide campaign to repeal the Rockefeller Drug Laws Joins Alliance for Women's Health October 2007 Signed on to statement opposing child support requirements for subsidized child care July 2007 Supports SSDP efforts to repeal Higher Education Act Aid Elimination Policy July 2007 Wrote Governor Spitzer to support training and jobs with sustainable wages for TANF participants June 2007 Support of NYS Paid Family Leave legislation

The WOMEN’S ISSUES COMMITTEE (WIC) advocates for equal opportunities for women and girls in employment, education, athletics, health and reproductive rights. At the recommendation of the Women’s Issues Committee, the WCC advocates at the local, state and federal levels to express its views on legislative, administrative and policy issues of importance to New York women and families.

In addition to the 2007 – 2008 priorities shown below, the WIC monitors and works collaboratively with community, women’s and civic organizations to respond to emerging circumstances in the following areas:
• Women in prison / impact on families
• Domestic violence
• Human trafficking
• Title IX
• Comprehensive health and sex education
• Women's Equality Amendment / Equal Rights Amendment
• Maintain the integrity of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
• Social Programs: the Women’s Issues Committee works collaboratively with the Public Policy Committee to promote programs that will lift and keep people out of poverty

To inform the policy decision-making process of WCC members and the general public, the WIC mounts periodic public programs about current and emerging issues affecting women. In addition, it organizes WCC’s Women’s History Month forums of interest and significance.

2007-2008 PRIORITIES

PAY EQUITY
• The Committee supports and works for the passage of recently introduced federal legislation that will allow women to sue for wage discrimination when they learn that male colleagues with the same job are paid more than they are.
• The Committee was disappointed that the Supreme Court recently ruled against a woman in this situation, claiming that she had waited too long to file suit although most courts previously had ruled that each unfair paycheck is a new act of discrimination.

NEW YORK STATE PAID FAMILY LEAVE
• WIC supports passage of New York State legislation that will give paid leave for those eligible under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS / EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION
• WIC supports the passage of legislation introduced by Governor Spitzer that will keep New York State in the forefront of ensuring reproductive justice for women.
• The Reproductive Health and Privacy Act would update New York's laws pertaining to reproductive rights and would establish a fundamental, statutory right to privacy for women in making personal reproductive decisions.
• WIC also supports legislation that will allow emergency contraception to be available for women of all ages over-the-counter without a prescription.