The National Organization for Women is lobbying City Council members to select Adrienne Adams, of Queens, as their next speaker.
Adams (no relation to the mayor-elect) is competing against fellow Queens council member Francisco Moya for the powerful post.
Mayor-elect Eric Adams is backing Moya. Both council members backed Eric Adams in the Democratic primary for mayor.
Women will represent 31 of the 51 council seats and NOW believes a female should head the council given that the rest of the city government leadership is male-dominated.
“An all-male top leadership in NYC just isn’t acceptable,” said Sonia Ossorio, executive director of NOW-NYC, which works to advance women’s rights, policy and leadership.
Ossorio cited Adrienne Adams’ strong background in policy, business and management in urging council members to elect her as their leader. Adams has worked as a corporate trainer at several firms and previously served as chairwoman of Community Board 12.
“Adrienne is ready to lead … She won’t be a rubber stamp for the mayor,” Ossorio said Wednesday.
“That balance of power is critical. We urge council members to pledge their support to her today.”
Ossorio said Councilwoman Adams, who chairs the public safety committee, has demanded the NYPD be more responsive to sexual assault survivors.
She said investigating and prosecuting sex crimes must be a priority for Mayor-elect Adams and the next police commissioner, Keechant Sewell.
“We believe with Adrienne Adams as speaker the chances for real reform can happen,” Ossorio said.
Adams represents the south Queens neighborhoods of Jamaica, Rochdale Village, Richmond Hill and Ozone Park in District 28.
Current Council Speaker Corey Johnson, who is term-limited, vacates the office Jan. 1.