Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I would like to invite you to join me in celebrating International Women's Day tomorrow, March 8th. As someone whose life has been tremendously impacted by the amazing and influential women in my life, who is today proudly raising two intelligent and powerful young girls, this is a day I believe all of us should take to lift up our mothers, sisters, grandmothers, daughters, nieces and granddaughters. While I firmly believe that the women who do so much in our society should be celebrated every day, tomorrow is a distinct moment that can resonate across our country, highlighting their importance in all our lives. 

Unfortunately, women remain under attack. From the misguided efforts to defund women's healthcare, to attempts to control decisions about their bodies; from the baffling persistence of the pay gap, to the lack of equal representation in elected office, board rooms and executive suites; and from the gender gap in our classrooms when it comes to STEM education, seeded at a young age, to how this manifests later in life with women pushed into traditional roles instead of encouraged toward the top; there is much that we as a society must come to terms with.

This is why I am proud to say that I am fully supportive of the #DayWithoutAWoman movement and have encouraged my staff to actively participate by not coming to work tomorrow. The contributions of women to our society and culture are incalculable. It is my hope that tomorrow, through these efforts, many more will recognize what it means when women take the day off. It is my hope that this unbelievable value--both intrinsic and tangible--is felt in workplaces and homes across America. I salute these efforts and would like to wish you and your family a very happy International Women's Day.

 

In solidarity,

 

Ydanis Rodriguez

Chair, Council Transportation Committee

District 10: Washington Heights, Inwood, Marble Hill