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Mayor de Blasio Appoints New Commissioners to Commission on Gender Equity

December 2, 2016

NEW YORK––Mayor Bill de Blasio today appointed Beverly Tillery and Beverly Cooper Neufeld to the Commission on Gender Equity, the advisory body that works across City Agencies to help achieve the Mayor’s commitment to reduce gender-based inequity and build a safer, more inclusive and economically mobile city for women and girls. Tillery and Neufeld have strong track records advocating for the end of various forms of violence and empowering women and the LGBTQ community.

“New York City is built on the ideals that every single person, regardless of gender, should be given the tools necessary to succeed. This commission plays a key role in this pursuit, working to bring together all New Yorkers and to ensure that everyone in this city has the means to move up the economic ladder and reach their aspirations,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Both Beverly Tillery and Beverly Cooper Neufeld have a proven track record standing up for women and the LGBTQ community, making them great additions to this commission as we look to create a fairer and equitable city for all New Yorkers.”

“We are working hard to improve gender equity in New York City. Although we have made some progress, there is much more to do,” said First Lady Chirlane McCray, co-chair of the Commission on Gender Equity. “The two women appointed to the Commission on Gender Equity today have spent their lives standing up for women, girls and the LGBTQ community. They will not stop fighting until every woman is paid fairly for her work; every transgender person feels safe living as their authentic selves, and women have full representation at every table and in every hall of power. New York City won’t stop fighting either. I look forward to working with these two fierce leaders as we continue marching toward equity in New York City for all.”

“The Commission on Gender Equity needs the best minds at the table as we advise the Mayor on policies, programs and legislation that will make our city stronger and fairer for women, girls and the LGBTQ community. I am excited about the appointment of Beverly Tillery, Executive Director of the New York City Anti-Violence Project, and Beverly Cooper Neufeld, President of PowHer. I look forward to working with both of them as we take on effective strategies to end violence against the LGBTQ community and advance pay equity for women in the workforce,” said Azadeh Khalili, Executive Director of the Commission on Gender Equity

"It is a tremendous honor to be appointed to the Mayor’s Commission on Gender Equity. The Commission's dedication to promoting the well-being of women and girls in New York City regardless of race, ethnicity, class, gender identity or sexual orientation, aligns closely with the New York City Anti-Violence Project's mission and goals, and I look forward to working together to advance this important work,” said Beverly Tillery, Executive Director of New York City Anti-Violence Project.

“At this critical moment in the history of women's rights, I am especially honored to serve on the Commission on Gender Equality. New York has the opportunity to lead the nation in advancing economic justice for women and to stand up for the benefits of progressive policies. I look forward to working with First Lady Chirlane McCray, Executive Director Azi Khalili and the Commissioners to ensure that our city is the best place for women and families to thrive and succeed,” said Beverly Neufeld, President of PowHer New York.

About Beverly Tillery:

Beverly Tillery is the Executive Director of the New York City Anti-Violence Project (AVP), an organization that works to address and end all forms of violence through organizing and education and supports survivors through counseling and advocacy. She is an experienced leader, advocate and national organizer with nearly three decades of experience working in social justice movements. Most recently, she was a Deputy Director of Education and Public Affairs at Lambda Legal, an organization dedicated to achieving full recognition of the rights of LGBTQ people and people living with HIV. There, she led national educational and advocacy campaigns and community-based research projects aimed at changing policies as well as hearts and minds. Prior to Lambda Legal, she worked as an organizer, popular educator, strategist and staff leader at organizations such as Amnesty International, Service Employees International Union and ACORN.

About Beverly Neufeld:
To address the slow advancement of women's economic issues, Beverly Neufeld envisioned and launched in 2014 PowHer New York, a community working across typical barriers to connect organizations and issues, energize a movement and accelerate progress. Neufeld also leads a decade long campaign for pay equity reform, now a signature project of PowHer New York, which influenced the passage of the NYS Equal Pay Act and the Women's Equality Act. In 2016, working with 2020 Women on Boards and Catalyst, she rallied passage of a NYC Board Diversity Law for contractors and is pursuing similar state legislation. In September 2016, “PowHer The Vote" was launched under Neufeld’s leadership along with the support of over 100 groups. “PowHer The Vote” is a 10-week interactive program and social media campaign aimed at igniting and empowering a state-wide legion of activists to champion women's issues during the 2016 election season and beyond. A member of the national Paycheck Fairness Taskforce and the steering committee of the 850-member NYS Women's Equality Coalition, Neufeld is working on the federal, state and local fronts.

Previously, as President of the New York Women's Agenda, Neufeld invigorated the 20-year old institution with innovative programming, including the New York Women's Business Principles Initiative. As Executive Director of The White House Project, she oversaw research on women's leadership, and helped develop SheSource and "Vote, Run, Lead." Beverly was Finance Director for Congresswoman Nita Lowey. Her board service includes 2020 Women on Boards, Free the Children, Sing for Hope, Women's Campaign Forum and Westchester Children's Association.

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