'A trailblazer for women:' Former Rochester Assemblywoman Susan John has died

ALBANY - Former Assemblywoman Susan John, who served for 20 years in office in Rochester and was known as a fighter for women's rights, died this week. She was 64.

John, a Democrat, was first elected in 1990 and served until the end of 2010 when she decided to not seek an 11th term in the Assembly. She first defeated, at age 32, long-serving Republican Gary Proud after working as a local lawyer.

"Susan John was a friend and mentor who I will miss dearly," her successor, Assemblyman Harry Bronson, wrote on Twitter.

"She was a trailblazer in the New York State Assembly fighting for children, women and workers. Our Rochester community is better because of Susan’s dedication and care for all of our families."

John was known as a fierce advocate for progressive causes, representing Rochester and parts of western Monroe County. And she did so in a male-dominated Legislature, often taking on the status quo to push for her agenda as the longtime chairwoman of the powerful Assembly Labor Committee.

She served on Assembly panels that tackled domestic violence and addiction, and even had her own drunken driving case in 1997 that, according to CITY in Rochester, she called an opportunity to better understand "the problem of drinking and driving."

The newspaper, which first reported on John's death, said she died Monday after a battle with cancer. She had moved to Florida after leaving office.

Gov. Kathy Hochul praised John's work, calling her a "trailblazer for women and working families."

"Rochester and New York State as a whole are better because of Susan's service," Hochul said in a statement. "She was a force to be reckoned with and her legacy will be a guiding star for all of us."

Work for underprivileged women

John was raised in Chicago and attended Syracuse University Law School, then moved to Rochester to work as an attorney at Phillips Lytle LLP before running for office.

Her achievements included fighting for aid for domestic violence shelters and requiring hospitals to make emergency contraception available for rape survivors. She also got passed the Women's Health and Wellness Law in 2002, which expanded health-care access to underprivileged women.

“Susan John was a longtime friend, colleague and public servant who was truly dedicated to strengthening the Rochester community," Rep. Joe Morelle, D-Irondequoit, who served in the Assembly throughout her tenure.

John also helped create the statewide Amber Alert system that allows authorities to more quickly find missing children, and she expanded laws that toughened penalties against stalkers and sex abusers.

"Her legacy of standing up for women and working families will never be forgotten. My heart goes out to Susan’s family during this difficult time," Morelle added.

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Joseph Spector is the Government and Politics Editor for the USA TODAY Network's Atlantic Group, overseeing coverage in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware. He can be reached at JSPECTOR@Gannett.com or followed on Twitter: @GannettAlbany

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