Reviving Our Collective Power: Reclaiming Our Rights​

By Dina Refki & Esther Kim

On May 1, 2025, the Center for Women in Government & Civil Society, Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy, University at Albany, held a powerful gathering focused on civic engagement, equity, and justice. The conference brought together leaders from government, civil society and the private sector. The overarching message was clear: in the face of adversity, communities must revive collective power by being vocal, united and engaged. The work of equity, inclusion and justice is difficult at a time when these values are politicized and criminalized, but essential, and no one does it alone.  

The Opening Remarks framed the conference as a vital response to democratic erosion, urging attendees to ground their work in inclusive principles. UAlbany’s President Havidan Rodriguez reaffirmed the University’s firm commitment to the values of equity and the principles of inclusion. Attorney General Letitia James warned against federal rollbacks on rights and highlighted legal efforts to protect voters and vulnerable communities. Governor Kathy Hochul’s Chief Diversity Officer, Julissa Gutierrez, stressed that rights must be reaffirmed and consistently defended. She described government efforts to build cross-agency coalitions in response to the crisis.  

Keynote Speaker Johanne Morne of the New York State Department of Health encouraged participants to acknowledge their power and to resist fear and silence. She discussed the historical persistence of women in government and public health, offering practical reflections on burnout, mentorship, and maintaining hope. Two panel discussions featuring elected and appointed officials and members of civil society organizations examined the crisis response to the threats to civil liberties and democratic practices. 

Dean Julie Novkov of Rockefeller College concluded with lessons from history that inform the struggle for democratic governance and equality and emphasized that the nation has experienced regressive periods before that were met with successful women-led resistance and advocacy movements. Below are key takeaways from the conference discussions.

 

Conference Highlights

 

Crisis Framing, Urgency, and the Lessons of History

 

1.1.Recognition of the current moment as an existential threat to democracy and justice

“There is so much division across our country, principles that once felt like bedrock principles like freedom of speech, academic freedom, equity and inclusion suddenly seem unsteady beneath our feet,” Rodriguez argued. Speakers strongly condemned federal policies that are stripping Americans of basic constitutional rights to due process, freedom of speech, expression and assembly. They decried policies that are eroding the safety net vital to the survival of poor Americans, exposing them to food, housing, employment, and other social and economic insecurities, and to being cut off from healthcare access. Funding cuts for institutions of higher education were considered attempts to sabotage the critical role of these institutions as beacons of democracy. 

Refugees who were welcomed to the country with a promise of assistance, together with the organizations that were helping them settle in their new homes, were left with broken promises when funds were held back and the resettlement process was interrupted. Intimidation, fear tactics and threats of withholding funds were used to force compliance with the federal agenda. Speakers deemed rugged individualism a detriment to the best interests of the country. 

Houston noted, “We can't have it both ways. We can't say we have American exceptionalism. We're the greatest country on earth and then let people actually die on the vine at the other end.”

 

1.2.Commitment to defend Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts as essential to justice, democracy, and human dignity

There was a recognition that DEI efforts are being politicized, attacked, and criminalized, and a call to protect and reaffirm the values of DEI for societal, economic and institutional health. The founding of the country on religious and ethnic diversity was emphasized. Speakers argued that misconceptions about DEI must be addressed. DEI does not rob people of opportunity. Data negates the false claim. Miller cautioned against the threat of “robbing people of diversity of thought and surrounding yourself with the same thinking. She argued, “Everything's at risk, because when you are surrounded by people who'll tell you what you want to hear, you lose all competitive advantage.”

 

1.3.Economic justice and the "War on the Poor"

There was an acknowledgment of increasing economic pressures, especially on poor communities, and a concern over funding cuts affecting public programs, housing, education, and nonprofits. Dean posited that “We are going to see devastation at levels we have not seen before.” The safety net is unraveling, and the nonprofit sector that provides vital support for vulnerable communities will not be able to sustain its operations without vital funding.

 

1.4.Historical continuity and learning from the past

History tells us that “shades of fascism, shades of authoritarianism, inequality, discrimination, the structural inclusion of groups of people, the disempowerment of whole swaths of our communities, is not new to American politics,” Novkov stated.  Periods of polarization and resistance movements from suffrage, civil rights, and women-led movements can inform our response to the current-day crisis. 

In the late 1890s, Novkov argued, “women were at the forefront of good governance and civil service reform.” They were disempowered and “lacked inclusion in the most basic of ways…They laid the foundations that would ultimately become the modern welfare and regulatory state through employing a wide range of advocacy and resistance strategies that included lobbying, coalition building, networking, protests, social science research and information dissemination. Dean noted that Black women have consistently led with great altruism. They “repeatedly lobbied, voted, and advocated for people (who are) unlike them." Fear was a luxury they could not afford. 

Participants were encouraged to build on past victories, remain vigilant to preserve progress and draw on lessons from past movements. Novkov concluded the conference by asserting that history has proven that challenges in similar periods can be transformed to renewal and the opportunity to “build a better, stronger and more resilient democracy.”

 

Collective Power & Civic Engagement

 

2.1.Collective action is central to social progress. Act now because “this is the fight.”

Emphasis on the importance of working together across institutions, backgrounds and identities was a constant theme. Democracy thrives when diverse voices are empowered, power is shared and communities are active in shaping policy and governance. Power grows when shared equitably. Unity is a force for resilience and change. Speakers emphasized the importance of organizing, showing up and speaking out. 

There is a collective responsibility to come together, build resilience and protect the most vulnerable, Porterfield asserted.  It is critical to expand the tables of power to include community voices, use litigation, mobilization and media as tools of resistance, as well as employing storytelling, data and coalition-building to counter disinformation and drive policy, Houston noted. 

Gutierrez urged “Connect before we collect," capturing the importance of trust, relationships, and joint effort. Morne encouraged participants to “mobilize and activate,” underscoring the shared responsibility and need for solidarity and action. Fahy, Sheehan, Guinn, Pedo, and Porterfield reminded participants that public institutions and public officials need to assess risks, communicate impacts and seek to mitigate the harm.

 

2.2.​Resolving differences within progressive coalitions and fortifying alliances

“This work cannot be done in silos and (we) must come together… (and) stay grounded in our shared mission” Gutierrez asserted. Miller argued that the needle in the workplace moved when men and women worked together to advocate for a positive and more diverse workforce, and when they became allies. Resolving differences among people with shared values, creating trust, engaging in hard conversations and strengthening cross-movement collaboration were underscored.

 

2.3.​Protecting the most vulnerable, bearing witness to injustice and correcting misinformation

​Miller drew an important lesson learned at times of crisis: “Elephants can sense when there's an earthquake and they create an alert circle.” The most vulnerable members are positioned in the middle of the circle and surrounded by a protective front. “Now it is time to create an alert circle,” Miller argued. Pedo echoed the need to protect and educate members of all vulnerable communities who are facing fear and backlash. Additionally, Houston encouraged citizen journalism, where regular citizens document injustices, communicate with the media and counteract misinformation. Speakers urged making the business case for DEI and correcting the narrative by amplifying the positive outcomes of DEI efforts on organizational outcomes and communicating the need to widen the talent pool to address labor shortages and meet workforce needs.

 

2.4.​​Advocating for lived experience to be centered in decision-making

​Speakers urged ensuring that members with lived experience are at the decision-making tables to inform understanding of how actions are affecting their lives and what policies and practices are most appropriate to address the challenges they face.

 

2.5.​Resilience and hope

​Encouragement to persist through fatigue and despair, emphasis on self-care, mutual support and the enduring strength of the human spirit were common themes. Calls for mentorship, succession planning and broader inclusion in leadership roles were made. Speakers noted that building resilience requires mutual support, mentorship and intentional leadership.

 

Conference Speakers

  • ​Marla Dean, Health Equity Fund
  • ​Honorable Patricia Fahy, New York State Senate
  • ​Honorable Barbara Guinn, New York State Office of Temporary & Disability Assistance  
  • ​Julissa Gutierrez, Office of Governor Kathy Hochul
  • ​Dr. Elaine Houston, She Speaks2Me
  • ​Rose Miller, Suite Advice
  • ​Johanne Morne, New York State Department of Health
  • ​Dean Julie Novkov, Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy, University at Albany
  • ​Karen Carpenter Palumbo, Vanderheyden
  • ​Honorable Susan Pedo, Albany County Legislature
  • ​Honorable Marion Porterfield, City of Schenectady
  • ​President Havidan Rodriguez, University at Albany
  • ​Honorable Kathy Sheehan, City of Albany
  • ​Walter Thorne, The Albany Business Review
  • ​Ruth Walters, The Walters Group

​Johanne Morne served as the keynote speaker. Karen Carpenter Palumbo facilitated the conference. Ruth Walters and Walter Thorne moderated the panel discussions.

 

Board of Directors

  • Karen Carpenter Palumbo, President
  • Terri Crowley, Vice President
  • Dr. Rukhsana Ahmed
  • Honorable Dr. Dorcey Applyrs
  • Dorianne Blanchard
  • Lola Brabham
  • Kathleen Brady-Stepien
  • Dr. Shanleigh Corrallo
  • Honorable Patricia Fahy
  • Alexandra Green
  • Dr. Janell Hobson
  • Canon Kay Hotaling
  • Honorable Rachel Kretser  
  • Hollyanne Lupi
  • Dr. Julie Novkov
  • Dr. Jennie Law
  • Hilary Papineau
  • Susan Pedo
  • Dr. Debernee Privott
  • Dana Rosenstreich
  • Emily Steinbach
  • Jessica Tanguay
  • Lauren Tobias
  • Ruth Walters

 

Conference Planning Committee

  • Chair: Ruth Walters
  • Karen Carpenter Palumbo
  • Dorianne Blanchard
  • Dr. Shanleigh Corrallo
  • Canon Kay Hotaling
  • Dr. Julie Novkov
  • Dr. Jennie Law
  • Hilary Papineau
  • Dana Rosenstreich
  • Emily Steinbach
  • Jessica Tanguay

 

About the Center for Women in Government & Civil Society

For over 45 years, CWGCS has been a premier academic research and education center with a social change agenda.

We expand opportunities and create possibilities for all students. The Center for Women in Government & Civil Society is part of the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy.

Our vision is a world where people of all background participate equally in shaping the future. 

CWGCS seeks to deepen and broaden political access, economic opportunities and social inclusion by strengthening the capacity of government, nonprofit and business sectors to implement responsive, inclusive and equitable policies, practices and services.

For further information, please contact the Center for Women in Government & Civil Society at 518-442-5127 and at [email protected].