Stroock hosts Merryl Tisch, Ester Fuchs and Kathryn Wylde at 'Glass Ceiling' Forum

NEW YORK, Oct. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- "Women in Our Economy – Does the Glass Ceiling Still Exist?" was the theme of a forum hosted today by Stroock & Stroock & Lavan and featuring Dr. Merryl H. Tisch, Chancellor of the New York State Board of Regents, Dr. Ester R. Fuchs, Director of the Urban and Social Policy Program at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs, and Kathryn Wylde, President and CEO of the Partnership for New York City.

The three influential women discussed a range of issues regarding the barriers that affect women's economic and workplace advancement, including gender and ethnic prejudices.

Robert Abrams, former New York State Attorney General and Chair of Stroock's Government Relations Practice, and Anita S. Rosenbloom, partner and Chair of Stroock's Diversity Committee, moderated the panel discussion. Jerry H. Goldfeder, Stroock special counsel and election law attorney, introduced the program.

"Although important strides have been made, economic and workplace equality issues remain significant concerns for women and minorities," said Abrams.  "Kathryn Wylde, Ester Fuchs and Merryl Tisch offered insightful perspectives and intriguing ideas for change at today's forum."

Tisch noted that the glass ceiling that existed 20 years ago has been replaced. "There is a shattered ceiling, and it's tumbling every day," she said, adding, "Women have to be articulate, have a vision, and bring others along with them to be successful.  The more we succeed, the greater it will be for us and for generations to follow."

After remarking that the United States is the only leading modern country in which a woman has not been nominated for or held the office of president, Fuchs said that as women reach positions of power, they don't realize the glass ceiling is there "until we bump into it."  She also observed a discrepancy in representation: while government is the single largest employer in the country and a crucial driver of economy, women constitute only 16.8 percent of Congress. 

Wylde said that, although employers struggle to get and retain top people - especially women –and that there is less of a glass ceiling, cultural restraints still exist, and it is hard for men to give up power. She noted that fortunately, today "Women are celebrating their diversity."

In addition to her position as Chancellor, Tisch co-chairs the Board of Regents Committee on Elementary, Middle, Secondary and Continuing Education.

Fuchs is the Professor of Public Affairs and Political Science as well as director of the Urban and Social Policy Program at Columbia's SIPA program.  She previously served as Special Advisor for Governance and Strategic Planning under New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, and was the first woman to serve as chair of the NYC Charter Revision Commission.

The Partnership for New York City, led by Wylde, is a nonprofit organization of the city's business leaders established by David Rockefeller in 1979. She previously served for 14 years as founding President & CEO of the Housing Partnership Development Corporation.

The event was the 11th in a series hosted by Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP during the last year. Previous participants included New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman; New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli; Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi; Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr.; Congressman Jerrold Nadler; Patrick J. Foye, Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey; Thomas F. Prendergast, President MTA New York City Transit; James Vacca, New York City Council – Transportation Chair; and Gene Russianoff, Attorney and Spokesman for the Straphangers Campaign; New York City Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, former New York City Comptroller and Democratic candidate for Mayor William Thompson; and Ambassador Ido Aharoni, the Consul General of Israel. The most recent event featured Newark Mayor Cory Booker and former New York Governor David Paterson discussing reduction of prisoner recidivism.

Today's event was sponsored by Stroock's Government Relations group, which is comprised of former prosecutors, judges, and government agency officials.  The practice is led by Mr. Abrams, who also served as President of the National Association of Attorneys General, Executive Chair of New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo's Transition Committee and Honorary Co-Chair of Attorney General Schneiderman's Transition Committee.

SOURCE Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP