Women Creating Change Announces the State of NYC Women Conference 2026
Second Annual Convening Brings Together 250+ Leaders to Turn Lived Experience into Citywide Change
NEW YORK, NY — June 23, 2026 — New York City women are navigating deep economic pressure, mounting threats to health and safety, and persistent barriers to civic participation. This October, they will gather to change that.
Women Creating Change (WCC) announces the return of the State of NYC Women Conference 2026: Women Leading NYC Forward, Turning Lived Experience into Citywide Change. The Conference takes place on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at Civic Hall, 124 East 14th Street, New York, NY. Doors open at 8:45 AM, the program runs through 4:30 PM, and a reception follows until 6:00 PM.
Now in its second year, the Conference builds on the momentum of the 2025 inaugural convening, which brought together more than 260 participants and 37 speakers to launch a citywide movement grounded in women's leadership and civic power. In 2026, WCC returns with deeper insight, stronger partnerships, and a sharpened commitment to turning dialogue into action.
"When we bring together women from every corner of this city, something powerful happens. That is what the State of NYC Women Conference is built for, and why this moment matters," said Sharon Sewell-Fairman, President and CEO of WCC.
The Conference brings together more than 250 women leaders, advocates, policymakers, funders, students, and community members from across all five boroughs. Sessions will address the most pressing issues shaping women's lives in New York City, including economic justice, health and reproductive justice, public safety, education, civic participation, and inclusive governance. The 2026 speaker lineup, to be announced, will continue the tradition of centering women who connect systems, policy, and real-life impact.
This year, the Conference goes deeper. Women Creating Change and Amplify Her® Foundation will release new research on the "broken rung" effect in New York City, the structural barriers that keep women, particularly from underserved communities, from reaching leadership. A panel of women in civic careers will bring those findings to life, turning data into strategy and insight into action.
The Conference will also present Amplify Her Foundation’s 2026 GlassBreaker Award, honoring a leader who has broken barriers and opened doors for women and communities across New York City and beyond. Join on October 8 and be part of a day that moves from conversation to action, where strategy meets lived experience and the connections made carry well beyond a single day.
Who Should Attend?
The State of NYC Women Conference is built for anyone committed to moving New York City forward: women leaders, advocates, funders, elected officials, educators, students, and community members who are ready to go beyond conversation. The Conference is a space where lived experience, data, leadership, and solutions meet, and where the connections made carry past the single day.
In 2025, attendees described the Conference as "catalytic," "electric," and "a turning point for accelerated civic engagement." The 2026 gathering goes further.
Attendance is open to all. The Conference is also available via livestream for those unable to join in person.
Early-bird individual tickets are $195. Regular tickets are $225. In-person registration closes September 28, 2026. Online registration closes October 5, 2026.
Event at a glance
Date: Thursday, October 8, 2026
Time: 8:45 AM to 4:30 PM | Reception until 6:00 PM
Location: Civic Hall, 124 East 14th Street, New York, NY
Tickets: $195 early-bird | $225 regular
Sponsorship: Starting at $5,000
The 2026 State of NYC Women Conference is made possible with the support of Amplify Her Foundation, JPMorganChase, PwC, Lyft, NYS Department of Human Rights, and Shutterstock.
For questions about tickets, accessibility, or sponsorship, contact [email protected].
About
Women Creating Change (WCC), formerly known as the Women’s City Club of New York, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to promoting the rights of women and gender-expansive individuals, ensuring they have the power to shape the future of New York City.
Founded in 1915 by suffragettes committed to promoting responsive government and improving conditions for the women of New York City, WCC works to advance gender equity by equipping women of color, women experiencing financial hardship, and gender-expansive individuals with the knowledge, tools, and resources to advocate for the issues that matter most to them. WCC collaborates with partners, policymakers, and advocacy groups to drive real change in economic justice, education, health care and reproductive justice, and safety. Through our research, advocacy, and leadership development programs, we empower women to shape policy, strengthen communities, and transform systems.
We're committed to building a more equitable New York City together with women and gender-expansive people from underrepresented communities. Visit wccny.org.
Media Contact
For interview requests or media inquiries, please contact Joanna Gallai at [email protected] or 347-361-8687.