MINEOLA, NY – On August 18, Greek-American Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas commemorated the centennial of the ratification of the 19th Amendment which gave women in the United States the right to vote. She released a statement in which she noted how women fought for decades for the right and she “stands on the shoulders” of the suffragettes who “paved the way” for her.

DA Singas’ complete statement follows:

“Today is the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment which stopped the government from denying individuals their right to vote on the basis of sex. People say that women were given the right to vote on this date but women fought for decades for their right to vote. I stand on the shoulders of these women and because of their fight, I am able to be the elected District Attorney in Nassau County.

“As the suffragettes paved the way for me, I hope to pave the way for the next generation. In New York State, just 13 of 62 counties are represented by women District Attorneys. I don’t want it to just be possible for a woman to be elected as District Attorney in this state, I want it to be probable for the next generation.

“People often ask me what we can do to help the advancement of women. I say we put women in positions of leadership. I am proud that my office is represented in the courtroom and in the community by strong women leaders. In the Nassau County District Attorney's Office, 64% of our prosecutors and 60% of managerial staff are women.

Nassau County DA Madeline Singas, Chrysoula Ioannou, and Pancyprian WIN President Theana Iordanou at the organization’s Annual Gala, presenting the Woman of the Year Award to Tasoula Hadjitofi earlier this year. (Photo: TNH/Zafeiris Haitidis)

“It is also important that women run for office, and play integral roles in campaigns. In 2018, women in Nassau County formed the ‘Women for Singas’ group in an effort to get more women involved in my campaign. After the group’s formation, women played an important role in my reelection – over half of my individual contributions came from women, a marked increase from the first election. And women from across the county hosted events for other women to hear about the issues in the race.

“I joined News 12 to discuss the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment and to pay tribute to the women who fought a century ago for me to be where I am today.”

The full interview on News 12 is available online: http://longisland.news12.com/clip/15119965/nassau-county-district-attorney-madeline-singas-discusses-womens-right-to-vote.