Westchester NOW Receives County Proclamation
George Latimer, Chair of the Westchester County Board of Legislators,
presented a proclamation to the Westchester Chapter of the National Organization
for Women in recognition of their advocacy for numerous programs to combat
domestic violence, support legal aid for women, and provide a climate for
diversity and freedom from hate crimes in the county. The proclamation
went on to thank NOW board members for their outstanding dedication, leadership
and commitment to promoting the goals of equality and fairness for women.
Mr. Latimer proclaimed December 19, 1998, Westchester NOW Day in the county.
The proclamation was accepted by Luba Fineson, president of the NOW
chapter. Ms. Fineson outlined the county issues that NOW will focus on
in 1999, including changing the state sentencing laws to promote equal
treatment of women in the courts, passing hate crimes/bias legislation,
and adoption of the long-overdue civil rights bill for gays and lesbians.
Jon Wegienek, executive vice president and former president of the
chapter, urged members to contact their state legislators about the Health
Care Facilities Anti-violence Act to guarantee access to women's clinics.
After the presentation of the proclamation, candles were lit in memory of Dr. Barnett Slepian, an abortion provider who was assassinated at his home in Buffalo last October, and Matthew Shepard, murdered allegedly for his homosexuality.
A special award for county activism was presented to Linda Castro of
Mount Vernon. Ms. Castro was instrumental in involving NOW in the successful
campaign to achieve equality of racial representation on the Mount Vernon
School Board.