Joelle O’Reilly-Hyland hopes to get more women talking about equality issues. While women are free to receive education and hold careers in the United States, women still are far from being completely equal with men. Joelle O’Reilly-Hyland has written several articles about women’s equality and the need to support the 2013 Women’s Equality Act.

The 2013 Women’s Equality Act is designed to give women in New York more participation in society by breaking down the many barriers still faced by women. Joelle O’Reilly-Hyland expresses the challenges faced by women in the 21st century when she wrote an article in response to attempts in New York to restrict women’s access to abortion.

“There are a few people in powerful positions using their influence to mislead constituents about the bill calling it a radical bill and trying to brand it as supporting late term abortion. Over 80 percent of New Yorkers support Freedom of choice. And anyone who actually reads the bill will understand that is not a radical bill. It simply states that if a woman’s health is in danger they can have an abortion before they end up in ICU. Currently a doctor could be arrested for saving the women before the child. Also, if Roe Vs Wade is every overturned, many states have reproductive right protections in place at the state level. New York does not. So while people think this is just grandstanding about rights we already have don’t understand what a precarious position they are in…. Women are also still silently discriminated against in the work place in terms of compensation. They make less for the same work and of course sexual harassment still occurs. Employers need to be made accountable before this will ever change,” says Joelle O’Reilly-Hyland.

Joelle O’Reilly-Hyland is proud to call herself an activist. She supports the ten points in the Women’s Equality Act and took her daughter with her to march in Albany with the New York Civil Liberties Union. “It was a great feeling to participate with so many women and men who support true equality for women and not the shadow of equality we share as a society today,” says Joelle O’Reilly-Hyland. Her daughter Louisa summed it up,” I am here to make sure I get the same treatment as my brothers!”

In a passionate article written by Joelle O’Reilly-Hyland in ladieswholaunch.com, she wrote about the Senate GOP and their attempts to keep injustice against women in society. “84 percent of New York residents identify as pro choice. If the majority of voters support women’s rights to choose, why isn’t everyone up in arms about this? I wish more people paid attention to things that directly affect them.” says Joelle O’Reilly-Hyland.

That is why Joelle O’Reilly-Hyland supports the Women’s Equality Act and why she took her daughter to march in Albany, New York. Joelle O’Reilly-Hyland believes politicians should not be able to tell women what is best for them, especially in reproductive matters. In a passionate statement, Joelle O’Reilly-Hyland said, “We will not remain quiet and let men in Albany prevent us from enjoying equal protection under the law.”