Bill Text: NJ AJR170 | 2026-2027 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designating September 24 of each year as "Mothers of Gynecology Day" in NJ.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)
Status: (Introduced) 2026-05-04 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Health Committee [AJR170 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2026-AJR170-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman SHANIQUE SPEIGHT
District 29 (Essex and Hudson)
SYNOPSIS
Designating September 24 of each year as "Mothers of Gynecology Day" in NJ.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution designating September 24 of each year as "Mothers of Gynecology Day" in New Jersey.
WHEREAS, Anarcha, Lucy, and Betsey, historically recognized as the Mothers of Gynecology for their role in the development of surgical techniques foundational to the field, were Black enslaved women in Montgomery, Alabama, whose bodies were subjected to repeated experimental surgical procedures in the 1840s without consent or anesthesia during research conducted by Dr. J. Marion Sims; and
WHEREAS, Anarcha, Lucy, and Betsey lived and worked on plantations near Montgomery in the 1840s. Following childbirth, each developed a medical condition that resulted in loss of bladder and bowel control; and
WHEREAS, Enslaved women with this condition were often separated from other workers. At the time, there was no established cure, and Anarcha, Lucy, and Betsey were informed that they would likely live with the condition on a long-term basis; and
WHEREAS, The men who enslaved Anarcha, Lucy, and Betsey expressed concern about their condition, as it affected the women's ability to perform labor on their plantations. In 1844, the enslavers sought medical advice from Dr. J. Marion Sims regarding possible treatment options; and
WHEREAS, Dr. J. Marion Sims experimented on a total of 12 women, but only Anarcha, Betsy, and Lucy were named in his published reports; and
WHEREAS, In the summer of 1849, Dr. J. Marion Sims performed what he recorded as Anarcha's thirtieth operation, incorporating surgical tools and techniques he had developed over the previous four years. The procedure was reported as successful; and
WHEREAS, In 1852, Dr. J. Marion Sims published an article describing his surgical method. The publication did not identify the women on who he had operated as enslaved, but the article did reference the extent of his authority over their care; and
WHEREAS, Dr. J. Marion Sims's surgical work and subsequent publication played a significant role in advancing gynecologic surgery and contributed to his later recognition as the father of modern gynecology; and
WHEREAS, Anarcha, Lucy, Betsey, and the other unnamed women who underwent these procedures are increasingly recognized for their role in the development of modern gynecology, as the surgical techniques attributed to Dr. J. Marion Sims were developed through operations performed on their bodies; and
WHEREAS, The contributions that Anarcha, Lucy, Betsey, and other unnamed women made under conditions of oppression have been overlooked for generations, yet their experiences underlie foundational developments in obstetrics and gynecology; and
WHEREAS, The Mothers of Gynecology Monument: Anarcha, Lucy and Betsey in Montgomery, Alabama, and other commemorations reclaim these women's stories as part of the historical record and honor their courage, resilience, and humanity; and
WHEREAS, Major professional organizations in the field of obstetrics and gynecology, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and allied health groups, formally recognize February 28 and March 1 as days to honor Anarcha, Lucy, and Betsey and to reflect on the legacy of systemic racism in medical practice; and
WHEREAS, It is fitting to recognize and honor the life-changing contributions of Anarcha, Lucy, and Betsey to the advancement of gynecology; and
WHEREAS, Acknowledging their role in the development of surgical techniques foundational to the field provides an opportunity for individuals and institutions to promote inclusive, culturally informed, and equitable care for all patients, and to reaffirm commitments to justice, respect, and human dignity in women's health and beyond; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. September 24 of each year is designated as "Mothers of Gynecology Day" in the State of New Jersey in order to recognize and honor Anarcha, Lucy, and Betsey for their foundational contributions to the development of gynecology, and to acknowledge their enduring impact on women's health and medical history.
2. The Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation recognizing September 24 of each year as "Mothers of Gynecology Day" in New Jersey, and calling upon public officials and the citizens of this State to observe the day with appropriate activities and programs.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution designates September 24 of each year as "Mothers of Gynecology Day." Anarcha, Lucy, and Betsey, historically recognized as the Mothers of Gynecology for their role in the development of surgical techniques foundational to the field, were Black enslaved women in Montgomery, Alabama, whose bodies were subjected to repeated experimental surgical procedures in the 1840s without consent or anesthesia during research conducted by Dr. J. Marion Sims. Dr. J. Marion Sims experimented on a total of 12 women, but only Anarcha, Betsy, and Lucy were named in his published reports.
The contributions that Anarcha, Lucy, Betsey, and other unnamed women made under conditions of oppression have been overlooked for generations, yet their experiences underlie foundational developments in obstetrics and gynecology.
It is fitting to recognize and honor the life-changing contributions of Anarcha, Lucy, and Betsey to the advancement of gynecology by designating September 24 of each year as "Mothers of Gynecology Day" in the State.
