Video | Reflections on the Centennial of Women's Suffrage

This webinar discussion took place on Wednesday, April 29th, as part of the Challenges and Opportunities in 2020 Election Series. In addition to reflecting on the centennial of women's suffrage, panelists discussed women's political leadership, participation, and rights.

Panelists

LIZ ABZUG is the Founder and President of the Bella Abzug Leadership Institute, which works to inspire, train, and mentor young women to become leaders in creating positive social and economic change. As a national public affairs and strategic consultant, professor, lobbyist, and candidate for New York City elective office, Ms. Abzug has been a professional involved in many fields including politics, economic and urban development, and human rights. She is daughter of the late Bella Abzug, first Jewish Congresswoman and women’s rights advocate.

GALE A. BREWER is the 27th Borough President of Manhattan. Brewer previously served on the City Council for 12 years. Prior to that, she served as Chief of Staff to Council Member Ruth Messinger, NYC Deputy Public Advocate, Director of the city’s Federal Office, and Executive Director of the Mayor’s Commission on the Status of Women. She also served on the staff of Lt. Governor Mary Anne Krupsak, the first women elected statewide in New York in 1974 (under Gov. Hugh Carey) and first served in government in the City Parks Department during the Lindsay administration.

COLINE JENKINS is a municipal legislator, author, and television producer.  She is co-founder and president of the Elizabeth Cady Stanton Trust, a collection of 3,000 objects of women’s suffrage memorabilia. She serves as Vice President of Monumental Women, a non-profit dedicated to erecting the first Central Park statue of real women—Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony and Sojourner Truth—in recognition of the centennial of the 19th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. She is great-great granddaughter of American Suffragist and abolitionist Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

JULIE SUK is dean for master’s programs and professor of Sociology at The Graduate Center, CUNY. She is a scholar of comparative law and society, with a focus on women in comparative constitutional law. She is most known for her recent work on renewed efforts to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, in light of the theory and practice of gender equality provisions in constitutions around the world. Her dozens of articles and book chapters address the potential and limits of antidiscrimination law as a tool for eradicating social inequality.

Moderator

KATHRYN B. YATRAKIS is Faculty Advisor at Columbia University, Office of the President. She is also adjunct associate professor in urban studies and retired Dean of Academic Affairs, Columbia College.  She serves on the Board of Directors of the Academy of Political Science.