THE VFA PIONEER HISTORIES PROJECT
Constance “Connie” Cook
August 17, 1919 – January 20, 2009
“The law doesn’t eliminate abortions; it merely drives them underground.”
Attorney. First New York State Assemblywoman. Fought for equality and women’s rights. Served 12 years as a Republican in the New York State Assembly, 1962-1974. Aided in growth and development of many organizations including Planned Parenthood, Family & Children Services, National Organization for Women. In 1970, along with State Senator Franz S. Leichter, authored legislation that decriminalized abortion in New York State; that paved the way for Roe vs. Wade in 1973. Sued Episcopal Church, 1974 and helped force church to revise its canon law to allow ordination of women, 1977. First female vice president at Cornell University, 1976-1980.
Photo. Constance E. Cook as her bill was approved in April 1970. Known as the “Connie Cook” Bill, it decriminalized abortion in the state of New York. Photo: Don Hogan Charles, The New York Times.
More About Constance:
- Obituary, New York Times
- Pioneering legislator Constance Cook, CU trustee and first woman vice president, dies at 89 | Cornell Chronicle
- Connie Cook: A Documentary website
- “Connie Cook: The Documentary,” Interveiw with Co-Director Perlgut
- A Remarkable Life: Constance Eberhardt Cook, Pioneer and Politician
- Constance Cook papers, #2881. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
- Constance E. Cook – Wikipedia