NYState Women's Meeting

Before the First National Women's Conference in Houston took place meetings in all 50 states to elect delegates and vote on a plan of action to be debated, amended, and ratified at Houston. Diana Mara Henry was asked by Bella Abzug to photograph the preliminary press conferences and publicity tours for this meeting, and DMH also set up two photography exhibits, one of the work of pioneering Staten Island photographer Alice Austen and one an original slide show of the work of 70 Women Photographers of NY State, curated at the International Center of Photography where Diana Mara Henry was Director of the Community Workshop Program and a teacher of black and white and Cibachrome photography.

Vinie Burrows interpreting history at the New York State Women's Meeting in performance described below.

Vinie Burrows has written and continues to perform many one-woman shows of women's history.

"Your one woman show was an inspiration and a work of art. Many students have told us how deeply moved they were by your portayals of women around the world.
As an acress, you have the ability to portray different characters ranging from comedy to drama, in the twinkling of an eye. Your experiences as representative to the United Nations for the Women's International Democratic Federation and your spirited activities with the Granny peace Briagde were evident....It was a splendid event for women's history and an appreciation for other cultures. I cannot say enough about the beauty and strength of your performance.
I hope that many more women's studies programs will be able to share in the authentic and rich experience you offer." - University of Akron

Mary Burke Nicholas addressing the opening plenary of the Ny State Women's Meeting in Albany, July 8, 1977.
Mary Burke Nicholas was Lt. Governor of NY State. She is the widow of Mayor Washington of Washington, DC.
It was a thrill to speak to her on May 17, 2013!

Submitted by Jan Levy ( top middle photo, back row) : "That's Clara de Miha -
grandma of Michael Oreskes - former Metro editor of NYTimes -
gray-haired woman center left - a memorable UWS activist."
That's Alice Heyman, bottom photo, back row, and Mary Burke Nicholas, top right picture, bottom left.
Keep those id's coming!

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A proud Ruby Dee, right, with Mary Burke Nicholas, setting off to promote the NY State Women's Meeting.

Above: Mary Burke Nicholas on Wall Street, promoting the NY State Women's Meeting.

Below, with Ruby Dee in front of the Plaza Hotel.