Loud and Proud - Let Your Voice Be Heard!
Welcome to New York State Women, Inc., an organization that is proud of over 90 years of history as a major advocate of women and women’s rights. From Long Island to Jamestown, Staten Island to the Adirondacks, Binghamton to Rochester and all points in between, the Chapters of NYSW, Inc. have demonstrated their support of women as they strive to improve their status personally, professionally and politically. We provide education to women on issues impacting their health, legal rights, family and financial management, career choices, self- esteem, self-confidence and empowerment. Our advocacy, career recognition and scholarship opportunities have enabled career development and career choices that have strengthened our numbers and our voice. We offer programs designed to enhance and empower women of all ages and in all stages of personal, professional and political growth and development. We are very proud of our Youth Leadership Program which fosters awareness and learning for teenage girls who are preparing to embark on the next of life’s adventures. We are especially proud of our women who have served and continue to serve in the military. We welcome them as members and work to be a resource of support as they return from active duty and face the challenges of re-integration into their communities.
Our membership is a diversified cross-section of working women (and men) – business owners, legal professionals, business and financial managers, health professionals, educators, office managers, scientists, engineers, politicians, entrepreneurs, skilled professionals, technology specialists – in both the public and private sectors of employment. We are members of our communities and support those courageous and vocal women and men who support the women of New York State as we continue in our efforts to achieve equal rights, pay equity, freedom from age and gender discrimination, respect in the workplace, and effective legal recourse for and protection from all forms of violence, personal and domestic. Our Legislative Platform, Statement of Advocacy and Lobby Day program are testaments and demonstrations of the seriousness of our political intentions and involvement. We continue to strive to educate ourselves to the political process and to learn how to make our voices heard more effectively.
We take pride in of our history of collaborations with and support of programs that provide support and resources to women in our communities. We are women helping women to overcome adversity in our challenging world and economy and ultimately succeed in their efforts to make a better life for themselves and their families. We have recently co-sponsored a resolution in support of the National Domestic Violence Registry which will help women identify those who were found guilty of domestic violence crimes. Sponsorship of programs and events that recognize the accomplishments of women throughout history and in current times gives further testimony to our efforts to promote pride and provide inspiration for all women of New York State. Many of our local Chapters give scholarships to high-school seniors and to mature women who are entering, continuing in or returning to college to earn a degree or change a career path.
New York State Women, Inc., formerly known as New York State Business and Professional Women, has always advocated for working women. We have always promoted growth and leadership within our ranks. We provide opportunities for networking and education to our membership through our three annual meetings, hosted by our Districts and Chapters throughout the state. Our meetings this year will be in Lake Placid, the Finger Lakes region and Albany. There is enough going on in our organization to satisfy the needs of every woman who wants to be involved in making the lives of women better, from grass roots to the halls of Albany. We are proud to serve our membership but even prouder to share our pride with those who may want to consider becoming an active member and woman’s advocate. Look us over and ask questions of our Executive team. We feel good about what we’ve done, but there is much more to be done.
Our strength is determined by our numbers and our future will be determined by our abilities to make our voices heard and make our efforts known to our communities and our state through public speaking, public relations and political involvement.