Karen Burstein
Former New York State Senator
Karen Burstein was born on July 20, 1942, and grew up in Nassau County. She graduated from Bryn Mawr College in 1964 and Fordham Law School in 1971. In 1972, Burstein was elected to the New York State Senate. She advocated for women's rights and prison reform and strongly opposed the Vietnam War.
In 1994, Burstein ran on the Democratic ticket for New York Attorney General, but a week before the election, Staten Island Borough President Guy Molinari declared Burstein was not qualified to serve as Attorney General because she is a lesbian. She suffered a narrow defeat to Dennis Vacco.
After the election, Burstein returned to practicing law and teaching Political Science at the State University of New York at Purchase College.
Reception for the Women's Unit at the Executive Mansion
Identifier
NYSA_13703-82_B4_9315_022
Description
Judith Hope (Appointments Secretary to the Governor) and State Senator Karen Burstein at a reception for the Women's Unit at the Executive Mansion. March 10, 1976.
New York State Archives. New York (State). Governor. Public information photographs, 1910-1992. Series 13703-82, Box 4, No. 9315_022.
This image is provided for education and research purposes. Rights may be reserved. Responsibility for securing permissions to distribute, publish, reproduce or other use rest with the user.
Carey and the New Commissioners
Identifier
NYSA_13703-83_B9_11186_004
Description
Governor Hugh Carey greeting the new commissioners that were appointed. (L-R) Karen Burstein of the Public Service Commission, Governor Carey, Social Services Commissioner Barbara Blum and Commissioner of Health James Prevost. April 19, 1978.
New York State Archives. New York (State). Governor. Public information photographs, 1910-1992. Series 13703-83, Box 9, No. 11186_004.
This image is provided for education and research purposes. Rights may be reserved. Responsibility for securing permissions to distribute, publish, reproduce or other use rest with the user.
Governor Carey Signs Bill on Hypertension
Identifier
NYSA_13703-82_B7_009
Description
Governor Hugh L. Carey signs Chapter 703 of 1981, which added article 27-B to the Public Health Law to establish a New York State heart and hypertension institute and to develop programs to promote screening, evaluation and methods of treatment of hypertension. The bill was signed in his New York City Office at 1350 Avenue of the Americas.
From left to right: unidentified, Paul Gioia (Associate Counsel to the Governor), unidentified, Attorney General Robert Abrams, Assemblyman G. Oliver Koppel, Assemblywoman May W. Newburger, unidentified, Karen Burstein, unidentified. April 6, 1981.
New York State Archives. New York (State). Governor. Public information photographs, 1910-1992. Series 13703-82, Box 7, No. 009.
This image is provided for education and research purposes. Rights may be reserved. Responsibility for securing permissions to distribute, publish, reproduce or other use rest with the user.
Equal Rights Amendment
Description
An Important Message from Senator Karen Burstein about the Equal Rights Amendment. Burstein was one of many women political leaders in support of this amendment. This flyer was one of many produced for the New York Legislature Campaign for the movement.
New York State Senator Karen Burstein Women's Issues Files. Series L0101-87. Box 1, Folder 9.
This image is provided for education and research purposes. Rights may be reserved. Responsibility for securing permissions to distribute, publish, reproduce or other use rest with the user.
Letter to Commissioner Benjamin Ward
Description
Letter to Commissioner Benjamin Ward from Senator Karen Burstein regarding the prisoner abuse at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility. August 5, 1976.
New York State Senator Karen Burstein Women's Issues Files. Series L0101-87. Box 1, Folder 3.
This image is provided for education and research purposes. Rights may be reserved. Responsibility for securing permissions to distribute, publish, reproduce or other use rest with the user.
