2024 was a year that advanced women’s rights and lives in New York. That progress is at risk with the anticipated rollbacks threatened by the new federal administration. Together, PowHer®NY with our Partners and friends like you can ensure that we don’t go back and we push forward.

JANUARY-MARCH
Governor Hochul’s State of the State in January kicked off three months of advocacy for an equitable and inclusive state budget. PowHer®NY put the strength of our coalition of 100+ gender and racial justice organizations behind key priorities in reproductive freedom, the care economy, pay equity, and more, bringing diverse organizations and advocates together to fight for gender equity in a holistic & intersectional way. In our Leaders Calls, PowHer led our partners in connecting and uniting in their efforts, to protect and ensure abortion access, expand affordable & accessible care, secure fair wages for care workers, expand paid medical leave, and advance economic justice.

MARCH
PowHer®NY organized the 18th Annual New York Equal Pay Day on March 12th, highlighting the persisting pay gap, the need for stronger salary transparency laws, and recognizing the value of women’s work. On the steps of New York City Hall, we rallied with union leaders & members, PowHer Network advocates, City Council members, and elected leaders, including NYS Attorney General Letitia James, NYC City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, and NYC City Council Majority Whip Selvena Brooks-Powers. In an statewide online rally, PowHer®NY shared over 40 statements and videos, including from Governor Hochul, Senate Leader Stewart-Cousins, and Assembly Speaker Heastie. >Learn more 

PowHer partnered with Legal Momentum and Community Service Society (CSS) to release the Next Steps in the Fight for Pay Equity Report at the end of March. At the CSS office in Manhattan, PowHer and our partners announced the report and held a panel discussion on strengthening our salary transparency laws and reporting on pay disparities. >Learn more

APRIL
NYC Council Majority Whip Selvena Brooks-Powers introduced the Salary Range Law Amendments (Int 808) on April 18th, after working closely with PowHer®NY and partners. Int 808 would clarify the “good faith” range requirement in NYC job postings, and require all job postings include job descriptions and a listing of other forms of compensation including benefits & bonus packages. >Learn more

Also in April, PowHer®NY launched our inaugural Leaders for Equity, Advocacy, and Progress (LEAP) Program. With the aim of building a pipeline for diverse young leaders to shape the future of New York gender justice advocacy, we invited 20 young women and gender expansive people to join our cohort for a 6 month program, to develop new skills and networks. >Learn more

MAY-JUNE
PowHer®NY celebrated budget and legislative wins and important steps forward in attention to our issues as the budget and legislative sessions drew to a close. As a result of the advocacy of our partners, the state enacted the Reproductive Freedom and Equity Fund, instituted the right to time off for prenatal health appointments, more than doubled state funding for the Child Care Assistance Program, and passed three important child care bills with near unanimous support in the legislature.

JULY
In recognition of Black Women’s Equal Pay Day in July, PowHer hosted an online rally and featured a video interview with Equal Pay Champion and CWA Local 1180 President Gloria Middleton. With PowHer’s outreach and coordination, more than 25 elected officials and advocates spoke out about the wide pay gap Black women in New York continue to face. >Learn more

AUGUST-FALL
The PowHer The Vote election action series began preparations over the summer and launched in September. For two months, PowHer hosted weekly panels in collaboration with our partners, to inform New York voters and candidates about issues critical for women, promote Prop 1– the NYS Equal Rights Amendment, increase voter turnout, and ensure that the representatives we elect will prioritize the rights and lives of women and people of color.

OCTOBER
In the midst of election season, PowHer recognized Latina Equal Pay Day with an online rally and a PowHer the Vote panel focused on Wage Equity for Latinas. More than 25 advocates and elected leaders in the NYS Senate, Assembly, and NYC Council spoke out about the causes of and solutions for the persisting pay gap for Latinas in New York. >Learn more

NOVEMBER
Prop 1, the NYS Equal Rights Amendment, successfully passed in early November with strong support from voters. With the passage of Prop 1, New York is a leading state on reproductive freedom and abortion access, and sets a model for other states for an inclusive ERA, protecting the rights of all New Yorkers from government discrimination. PowHer celebrated the success of the amendment that our network has worked so hard to bring to fruition.

Native Women’s Equal Pay Day fell on November 21st, and PowHer led the NY online rally, spotlighting our interview with Kelly K. Hallman, Founder and Executive Director of Indigenous Justice Circle and Cherokee Nation Citizen. >Learn more

The inaugural LEAP cohort came together for a LEAP Closing Ceremony in late November, celebrating the skills and connections they built over the 6 month program. Working with the feedback of the first LEAP cohort, PowHer began to prepare for the 2025 cohort and for a new program connecting LEAP alumni with the PowHer Network. >Learn more 

DECEMBER
The 3rd Annual PowHer Equity Awards event, held Wednesday December 4th, was a celebration of Equity Champions and an opportunity to recharge our spirits and ready our community to face the challenges ahead, together. PowHer honored Gloria Middleton of CWA Local 1180, NYS Senator Liz Krueger, and the New Yorkers for Equal Rights Campaign, and spotlighted our PowHer the Vote partners. >Learn more

NYC Council held a hearing on important pay transparency bills. On December 12th, PowHerNY and network partners testified at the Committee on Civil and Human Rights hearing. On the docket were Intro 808-A, sponsored by Council Member Brooks-Powers, which strengthens and expands the NYC salary range law, and two equal pay data reporting for the private sector, sponsored by Council Members Caban and Farias.

What’s Next?

• Expanding pay transparency with Int 808 and pay data reporting bills
• Holding our legislators accountable to make progress on women’s issues
• Protecting women’s rights and freedoms against rollbacks
• Strengthening New York as a progressive leader and model for the rest of the country
• Continuing to fight for better wages for care workers; access to child care, home care, and paid leave; safety from gender based violence; and housing justice for women.