Andrew Cuomo’s righthand woman, an allegedly “ruthless, heartless” enforcer for the governor amidst his sexual harassment scandal, heads a state panel that is supposed to focus on workforce equity and preventing violence against women.
Melissa DeRosa, who is secretary to the governor, is also the chair of the state Council on Women and Girls.
Cuomo formed the group in 2017, but its work in the past year is unclear. It last issued a press release in June 2020, with an announcement that the state would allow midwife-led birthing centers for the first time.
The council, which is made up of the heads of all state agencies, has a steering committee of powerful women from across New York, but the group has not met in 18 months, one committee member said.
Fashion designer Rebecca Minkoff is listed as a steering committee member but hasn’t been involved since 2018, her rep said.
Minkoff included DeRosa in a 2018 billboard campaign of “superwomen,” but her spokeswoman would not comment on her now.
Cuomo’s office said state commissioners have continued to work on issues including women’s rights and gender equity.
“Members of the council conferred with the administration regularly throughout the past year and have the record of accomplishments to show for it, launching initiatives on domestic violence and infant mortality, and additional funding for service providers,” said Shams Tarek, a Cuomo spokesman.