On October 21, 2024, Independent Women’s Network Brooklyn Chapter Leader, Irina Edelstein attended a press conference on the steps of City Hall in Manhattan to tell New Yorkers to say no to the dangerous and discriminatory Proposal 1 constitutional amendment that will appear on New York ballots on November 5th. If passed, this amendment would be permanently enshrined in the New York constitution—giving males the constitutional right to compete on girls’ sports teams.
Chapter Leader Irena Edelstein shared, “As a concerned woman and mother to a young daughter, I am compelled to express my opposition to Prop 1. While the proposal is presented as a measure to safeguard reproductive rights, its implications extend far beyond this narrow focus. In reality, it poses a significant risk to the safety and dignity of biological women and girls by allowing biological men into women’s spaces. This proposal, under the guise of inclusivity, undermines the rights of women and girls to privacy and safety in their own environments. It disregards the unique challenges faced by women and places them at further risk in situations where safety should be a priority. Furthermore, the uncertain language of Prop 1 threatens to rob essential rights and provisions from our elderly community members and could lead to unintended consequences. In advocating for true reproductive rights, we must prioritize clarity and protection for all individuals. We must ensure that the rights of women and girls are not compromised, nor should our seniors face uncertainty about their entitlements. I urge my fellow NY community members to consider the broader implications of Proposal 1 and to stand up for the rights of all women and the elderly. Let us work towards solutions that genuinely support and protect everyone in our community.”
Prop 1 requires that all New Yorkers be treated according to their “gender identity” and “gender expression,” cementing a basis for men to self-identify into women’s spaces, including sports. Prop 1 would effectively erase women’s sports and destroy New York women’s rights to safety, privacy, and equal athletic opportunity to compete and earn scholarships.
Independent Women’s Voice (IWV) Legislative Liaison Paula Scanlon—a former NCAA swimmer at the University of Pennsylvania and New York resident—joined the press conference. Scanlan was joined by New York civil and constitutional rights attorney Bobbie Anne Cox, activist and member of the Community Education Council in Manhattan’s District 2 Maud Maron, and Chinese American Citizens Alliance of Greater New York Founding President and fellow at Manhattan Institute Wai Wah Chin at the press conference to sound the alarm on the dangers of this New York proposed amendment.
Previously, Independent Women’s Network spearheaded sending over 3,000 letters to Mayor Eric Adams, urging him to reinstate Maron to her elected school board seat after she was abruptly banished from her position. Maron has since been restored to her seat and continues to be a vocal advocate for women’s rights.
“We have a proposal on the ballot this November that is going to do exactly what I experienced to thousands of women in New York City. It is the most anti-woman piece of legislation that I’ve seen come through, and it is going to eradicate women’s rights in my home state of New York. It is heartbreaking to see this. I can’t imagine having any more female athletes experience what I went through: losing opportunities to compete in sports, being forced to undress with men in locker rooms. This is a reality that I experienced that will become law here in New York,” Scanlan said at the press conference.
