Research

Administrative History

The State Department of Commerce's Woman's Program was created to promote economic opportunity for women in a variety of business fields. The program provided a specialized business consulting service for women of the State. The program engaged in a variety of activities including holding state-wide clinics to help women open shops or start businesses; conducting clinics for female college students to bridge the gap between vocational guidance and industrial recruitment through expert evaluation of current opportunities for women in business and industry; conducting research on the progress and opportunities of women in New York State; aiding in conducting polls on shopping habits; compiling success stories of women and women's interest material for booklets, press, radio, and television; and working with trade associations, product sources, and market outlets to widen business opportunities for women.

The Woman's Program was guided by the New York Woman's Council whose members were appointed by Governor Averell Harriman from the fields of education, labor, industry, and women's organizations.