The year 2017 was already the 100th anniversary of the women's right to vote in New York state.

Then came the Women's March, immediately following President Donald Trump's inauguration, and the year then closed out with a wave of sexual harassment and assault stories, from media to politics.

"What can we do to show New York is not going to stay silent?" asked Melissa DeRosa, the first woman to be named secretary to the governor, who is leading the newly-launched Council on Women and Girls.