Women (Legislators) United Can Never Be Divided

ALBANY, NY (01/13/2010)(readMedia)-- Today, January 13, 2010, the Times Union reported that "Female Legislators Back Gillibrand." "We say kudos to the women of the Senate and Legislature for standing up for Senator Kirsten Gillibrand against her opponent, former Congressman Harold Ford, Jr.," reports National Organization for Women-NYS President Marcia Pappas. "In so doing they stand up for women in general. Indeed, there are far too few women law makers; and unless women are ready and willing to stand up for and defend their colleagues in government, and beyond, women will never reach parity in the world."

In The New York Times City Room - 1/11/10* Pappas was quoted as saying of Ford: "We understand that he is anti-choice, so as an organization we would never vote to support a candidate that's anti-choice."

Pappas adds that "without gender empowerment, women will continue to be second class citizens. We must use our voices to be heard. And this latest action by our women legislators in a giant step towards women's equality in government positions."

Pappas concludes: "Women want someone at the table who represents their interests. Without female representation, fifty-two percent of the population's needs are ignored. Our opponents will not surrender power without a fight. so as women we must stand strong, arm in arm, ready to provide each other strength, no matter what the outcome. Fear of political retribution must not be the ruling emotion. It's true that a losses are possible, but even a loss is far better than giving up without a fight. In short, it's better to be part of the solution than part of the problem. Women united can never be divided."

*http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/11/paterson-joins-the-poltical-chorus-urging-ford-not-to-challenge-gillibrand/?emc=eta1