New York (State). Division for Women

CURRENT FUNCTIONS: The Division has a number of responsibilities including: providing advice to the governor on a range of issues relating to women; working with agencies to ensure women's interests are considered in the formulation of public policy; and to act as an advocate on issues affecting women. The Division recommends, reviews, and monitors proposed legislation, State policies and procedures, and programs. It also collects and disseminates data on the condition of, and opportunities for women.

ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY: In 1967, Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller established a Women's Unit within the Office of the Secretary to the Governor to serve as an information clearinghouse for State departments dealing with issues of specific interest to women. The unit resulted in part from recommendations of a 1966 Governor's Conference on Women. The status of the unit and the resources available for its work were upgraded by Governor Hugh Carey in Executive Order 8 of 1975, which established the Women's Division in the Executive Chamber. The order defined specific powers and duties of the new Division. Governor Mario Cuomo continued the Division and further charged it to organize an Interagency Task Force composed of the respresentatives from all departments and agencies. The Director of the Division serves as a member of the Governor's Cabinet.

From the description of Division for Women Agency History Record. (New York State Archives). WorldCat record id: 81756910

In 1967, Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller established a Women's Unit within the Office of the Secretary to the Governor to serve as an information clearinghouse for State departments dealing with issues of specific interest to women. The unit resulted in part from recommendations of a 1966 Governor's Conference on Women. The status of the unit and the resources available for its work were upgraded by Governor Hugh L. Carey in Executive Order 8 of 1975, which expanded the powers and authority of the Women's Unit, and transformed it into the Women's Division, moving it into the Executive Chamber and having it report directly to the Governor. The Women's Division was given a mandate to work for "the development of effective and responsive programs and projects on State, local and Federal levels in the public and private sectors, promoting equal opportunity and status for women."

The largest event hosted by the agency in its original incarnation was the New York State Women's Meeting in July 1977, held in preparation for the first National Women's Conference held later that year in Houston, Texas. The Women's Meeting had an attendance of 15,000 in Albany, and led to major legislative lobbying efforts on behalf of women's rights. Other events included public information seminars about insurance targeted at women, and a conference and dialog about the needs of rural women in New York.

The Women's Division took a leadership role among the National Associations of Commissions for Women, an organization of local women's commissions. It also took part in major international efforts to support the rights of women, especially through the United Nations.

Mary Burke Nicholas was first Director of the Women's Division, and served from 1975-1982. In 1983, Governor Mario Cuomo's Executive Order No. 5 established the Women's Division as a Cabinet-level agency composed of representatives from each state agency and department, with the Director serving as chair. It was directed to advise the governor on all matters relating to women and to work closely with state agencies to ensure that women's interests and perspectives were considered in the formulation of public policy; and to organize an Interagency Task Force composed of the respresentatives from all departments and agencies. This executive order was continued by succeeding governors.

From the New York State Archives, Cultural Education Center, Albany, NY. Agency record NYSV90-A0