Letter from NOW New York City in reference to Judge Sattler
September 20, 2017
Dear Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, Honorable Keith Wright, Judicial Delegates and Alternate Delegates,
The National Organization for Women, elected officials and community leaders unite in writing with grave concerns about New York Acting Justice in the First District Lori Sattler, who is seeking nomination to New York Supreme Court this Sunday, September 24th. Sonia Ossorio, the president of NOW-NY, and many others have witnessed firsthand the double standard, disrespect, and violation of women’s rights in her courtroom.
As one example, in a 2013 custody case, Judge Sattler allowed a woman’s abortion to come under scrutiny in her courtroom. The abortion was not probative of this woman’s fitness as a mother. Yet the mother was forced to answer many intimate questions about her medical procedure and sex life and Judge Sattler allowed to it continue for two full days of court proceedings.
We urge Democratic leaders and judicial delegates to consider the message Judge Sattler’s potential elevation sends to women throughout New York County. In these fraught political times when woman's rights are being continually rolled back, none so aggressively as reproductive rights, we must stand strong against efforts that diminish women and progressive ideals.
Outdated and uninformed views that hold women to a double standard do not belong in a 21st century courtroom. We have an obligation to speak out against misogyny and injustice in our courts. Judge Sattler has failed to protect the rights of women; and is not fit to sit in judgment of other women who come before her.
We implore you to stand with women everywhere and deem Judge Lori Sattler unfit to be elevated to a permanent status on the State Supreme court.
Sonia Ossorio
President, National Organization for Women NY
sonia@nownyc.org
212-627-9895