WBASNY celebrates Equal Rights Amendment as a victory for New Yorkers

November 8, 2024 Robert Abruzzese, Courthouse Editor

Abortion rights activists gather for a protest following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade at Washington Square Park, June 24, 2022, in New York. Photo: Yuki Iwamura/AP

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The Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York (WBASNY) is celebrating the passage of Proposition 1, which enshrines the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) in the New York State Constitution.

“We did it,” President Marea Wachsman said. “The New York Equal Rights Amendment is now in our state constitution. Thank you to everyone who worked hard to make this happen, and thank you to everyone who went out to vote and voted YES! Congratulations to WBASNY and Liz Krueger.”

Marea Wachsman, president of WBASNY, celebrates the passage of the New York Equal Rights Amendment, calling it a historic milestone for justice and equality. Photo courtesy of WBASNY

The amendment, passed by a wide margin on Election Day, expands protections against discrimination to include sexual orientation, gender identity, and reproductive health, among other categories.

In a statement issued by WBASNY, the organization highlighted the amendment’s significance: “The ERA, now enshrined in the New York State Constitution, solidifies equality under New York law permanently and enduringly.”

The ERA broadens the constitutional protections in New York, which previously prohibited discrimination based on race, color, creed, and religion. With the amendment’s passage, the state now includes ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, and sex, along with gender identity and reproductive health, as protected classes.

WBASNY explained that this legislative victory aligns with its mission of promoting the fair and equal administration of justice.

“Sex and gender bias have long been pervasive in our social structure,” the statement read. “Given recent events, biases against sexual orientation and reproductive rights have also become much more commonplace across the country.”

Wachsman played a key role in the advocacy efforts leading up to the vote. Under her leadership, WBASNY members participated in public outreach, social media campaigns, and voter registration drives to rally support for the amendment. Wachsman also penned an op-ed that was published in several outlets.

WBASNY acknowledged the efforts of Gov. Kathy Hochul, Assemblymember Rebecca Seawright and State Sen. Liz Krueger, whose leadership helped bring the amendment to fruition. Special recognition was also given to WBASNY’s ERA/Civil Rights and Social Action Committee chairs.

“The people of New York made WBASNY’s legislative priority a reality and ensured that every New Yorker’s rights are protected,” the statement concluded.