“On International Women’s Day, we celebrate the contributions that women have and continue to make to our society, culture and economy. More and more every day, our world is being changed for the better by fierce and unapologetic women – both young and old - who refuse to conform to tired clichés or accept antiquated societal expectations.

 “Here in New York, our labor history is rich with women who have fought tirelessly for the rights of all workers. From the ashes of the Triangle Shirtwaist factory fire rose an indefatigable resolve in the hearts of New York labor leaders like Frances Perkins and Rose Schneiderman to never see workers subjected to such horror ever again. Indeed, as New Yorkers we owe many of the worker protections we enjoy to persistent and unrepentant women.

 “Today, let us all follow the example set for us by our predecessors - strong and resolute women leaders who struggled relentlessly against inequity and injustice so that we might enjoy a fairer world. The work is not over. We still struggle against pay inequity, harassment and a prevalent attitude that women are ‘less than’, but it’s a fight women are up for. It’s a fight we will ultimately win.”