EXHIBITION ON VIEW
Location: Governor's Reception Room, Second Floor, New York State Capitol
Days: Monday through Friday (Closed Holidays and Weekends)
Times: 7:00 A.M. - 7:00 P.M.
In 1945, Governor Thomas A. Dewey signed the Ives-Quinn Anti-Discrimination Act, making New York State the first in the country to enact legislation that prohibited employment discrimination based on race, creed, color, and national origin. This landmark law, originally named after its sponsors, Assemblyman Irving M. Ives and Senator Elmer F. Quinn, was later renamed the New York State Human Rights Law and laid the groundwork for future civil rights protections in the United States. Following New York’s lead, several other states passed fair employment laws which ultimately put pressure on the federal government to act.
The historic milestones featured in this exhibit represent just a few examples of the Human Rights Law’s impact on advancing equality throughout New York State. Yet there is more work to do. New York is committed to building on the progress made, ensuring all New Yorkers live free from discrimination.
