National Organization for Women-NYS Decries That No Women Were Nominated

ALBANY, NY (12/04/2008)(readMedia)-- Yesterday Governor Paterson had the unpleasant task of reporting that no women had been nominated for the position of Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals in New York. The State Commission on Judicial Nomination is the body responsible for this list of prospects, and it seems that while they could easily scrape up seven esteemed men's names for recommendation, they were completely unable to find a single qualified woman anywhere in the State.

Governor Paterson is reported to have said "it seems highly unusual that, in a class of seven individuals considered to be capable of supervising the Court of Appeals, not one of them would be a woman - not one," He remarked "I think it's very unfortunate."

NOW New York State applauds the Governor for standing up against this this unseemly turn of events. NOW-NYS President, Marcia Pappas explained: "We think it is more than 'unfortunate.' It tells a chilling tale of the uphill battle that women continue to face in securing positions of authority and leadership. It tells the stark truth that gender parity will not be achieved easily and that power is never relinquished without a fight."

Governor Paterson further called upon Attorney General Andrew Cuomo to help: "I won't disobey the rules of the Constitution. However, I'm going to explore my options, and I've asked the Attorney General to come take a look at this and see what our options are here."

Pappas encouraged this endeavor saying; "We urge the Governor and the Attorney General to use the power of their positions, and to investigate every option and loophole allowable under the law, to at the very least, give women an opportunity to attain the position of Chief Judge."

This marks the second time in recent weeks NOW NYS has called upon the Governor to level the playing field for women. Earlier this month Pappas urged the Governor to appoint a qualified woman to replace Senator Hillary Clinton. NOW NYS continues to call for this.

Pappas concluded: "The New York Legislature and Governor must appoint an equal number of women and men to all commissions and committees. Women make up over fifty percent of the population and deserve to be treated as equal players in all the institutions of our society. Without equal opportunity, there can be no progress for women."