In my tenure as an elected official, I’ve always believed in standing up for what’s right, even when it may be difficult or unpopular. It’s those guiding principles that led me to make the tough decision to leave the New York City Council’s Women’s Caucus. It certainly wasn’t an easy choice, but it was an absolutely necessary one.
The final straw for me came last week. Throughout this month, we’ve watched the televised release of hostages and have since been haunted by the images of young women in their early 20s being paraded through the streets by masked terrorists brandishing guns in their faces. The pure terror in the eyes of those girls was unmistakable. Yet despite what we all witnessed as a targeted attack on women, I was promptly denied when I asked the caucus to issue a statement of support for the girls. Even amid intentional acts of gender-based violence perpetrated by Hamas terrorists — including the rape, torture, and kidnapping of so many women — the Caucus could not bear to put out a statement without adding “context.”
If a group that claims to stand for women’s rights cannot speak out against such horrific violence and terror, then what is its purpose? The fact that the caucus opted for silence was not just disappointing — it was alarming. The women who suffered at the hands of Hamas deserve to be acknowledged. Why is it that silence is not “violence” when it comes to advocating for Jewish women?
But it was not just this issue that pushed me to leave; this instance is only a symptom of this caucus being held hostage by a rabid, extreme Leftist ideology. They have adopted policies that undermine the very definition of womanhood, and have amended the bylaws to allow anyone who “identifies” as a woman to be a member. Remember: these are people who, by and large, choose to disregard the unique challenges that biological women face — the same people who claim men can give birth and menstruate, and demand that “mothers” be called birthing people. And those who don’t actively believe this are intimidated into silence by those who do. Women have fought for generations to be recognized and protected under the law. Now, those same hard-won protections are being diluted by policies that refuse to acknowledge biological reality.
Let me be clear — I am not stepping away from fighting for women. In fact, I am doubling down on that fight and I cannot in good conscience remain part of a group that only speaks up for women’s rights when it is politically expedient for them.
Effective advocacy requires consistency. We must defend women’s rights even when it doesn’t align with a preferred political agenda. That means we must condemn ALL forms of violence and oppression against women — whether those women are in New York City or in Israel. It means recognizing that women face biological and societal challenges that require tailored policies and protections.
Unfortunately, the Women’s Caucus no longer represents these principles. Instead of being a platform for the advancement of women, it has become a platform for ideological activism that often contradicts its core mission. I refuse to remain part of a group that picks and chooses which women deserve
protection and advocacy. I will continue to advocate for policies that ensure women’s safety and dignity, and I will continue to push for a political environment where standing up for women is not subject to partisan games.
I hope my former colleagues in the Women’s Caucus take a step back and reassess what they truly stand for. Because women — real women — deserve better.
