This year has been a busy season for advocacy efforts at the New York Junior League. Learn more about the work being done in the below spotlight on advocacy efforts! 

In recent months, the League’s Advocacy for Public Policy (APP) committee has:

• Advocated for the reintroduction of the federal Michelle Alyssa Go Act, introduced by Congressman Dan Goldman in 2024, to expand mental health coverage by Medicaid. The bill is named in honor of late NYJL member Michelle Alyssa Go. 
• Successfully advocated for the passage of the Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) For Kids Act to require social media companies to restrict addictive feeds on their platforms for users under the age of 18. Governor Hochul signed the bill into law in June 2024. 

On October 2, 2024, APP also partnered with the Volunteer Training & Education (VET) committee to hold an impactful panel discussion on mental health equity: Breaking Barriers and The Michelle Alyssa Go Act. Panelists were present from National Alliance on Mental Illness, the Treatment Advocacy Center, and Room to Grow. The turnout was wonderful with the room at 95% capacity and thoughtful questions from NYJL members.

Last month, on October 23, APP also hosted the committee’s annual legislative breakfast. This year’s conversation was centered on the topic of the Equal Rights Amendment—a legislative priority that has been a focus of the New York Junior League since the 1970s. It featured remarks by Senator Liz Krueger and a panel discussion featuring Senator Andrew Gounardes, US Department of Labor Assistant Secretary Lisa M. Gomez, India Sneed-Williams Esq., and Dr. Henry Love, PhD (WIN).

These exciting and meaningful advocacy developments are a continuation of the League’s long  legacy as a legislative advocacy powerhouse. Given that the League counts Eleanor Roosevelt (former First Lady and U.S. delegate to the UN General Assembly) and Ruth Sears Baker Pratt (the first woman to represent New York in the U.S. Congress) among its early members, it’s no surprise that this important work continues to be a part of the NYJL’s long-held traditions.