Women’s History Month in Western New York: Local Trailblazers and Women’s Resources

By Diane Tiveron, Managing Partner, Tiveron Law

Women’s History Month provides us with an opportunity to reflect on the women whose courage, leadership, and determination helped shape our communities and our future. The Buffalo and Western New York we all know and love so much has been built on the energy of women across many walks of life, ages, and professions – and as a woman in the field of law, I feel called to shine a light on the numerous women who broke barriers in law. Not only should they be recognized for being the “first” in their field but also opening doors for those who followed. Their achievements continue to influence how women lead, build careers, support families, and strengthen our region today. Some examples include:

Trailblazing Women in Law Across Western New York

Kate Stoneman – Born in Chautauqua County, she became the first woman admitted to practice law in New York State in 1886 after challenging numerous barriers to women entering the profession.

Helen Z.M. Rodgers – Holds the distinction of being the first female graduate from the University at Buffalo Law School. In 1901, she also became the first woman to argue before the New York Court of Appeals.

Charlotte Smallwood-Cook – Elected in 1949 as the first female District Attorney in New York State serving Wyoming County.

Maryann Saccomando Freedman – Served as the first female president of the Bar Association of Erie County in 1981 and was later elected as the first female president of the New York State Bar Association in 1987.

Madge Taggart -Recognized as the first female judge of Buffalo City Court in 1952 and was later the first woman to serve as an Erie County Family Court judge in 1962.

Mary M. LaMendola – The first female Erie County Court Judge, she helped expand women’s visibility and leadership within the Western New York judiciary.

Hon. Rose H. Sconiers – In 1993, she became the first African American woman elected to the New York State Supreme Court outside of New York City, in the Eighth Judicial District. She was later appointed to the Appellate Division, Fourth Department in 2010, becoming the first African American woman on that bench as well. 

While we celebrate these women of influence, we should also take a moment to celebrate every one of us.  It’s not just about the trailblazers and pioneers. It’s about all of us working hard every day to take care of our families, ourselves and the rich communities around us.  

Sometimes strength comes from working with the right help. That’s why we’ve collated some incredibly helpful resources in Buffalo & the Greater Buffalo-Niagara Region for women looking for training, assistance, and mentorship in the realms of legal advice, entrepreneurship, homeownership, and more. 

Please, feel free to leverage the assistance from these wonderful programs and non-profits to help your own journey! 

Resources for Women in Buffalo

Legal Help

Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo – Offers free legal services for low and moderate income Western New Yorkers, especially involving safety, shelter, income, and family stability.
https://legalaidbuffalo.org/

ECBA Volunteer Lawyers Project – Free civil legal services for eligible individuals and small nonprofits across Western New York.
https://ecbavlp.com/

New York State CourtHelp – Assists with understanding court forms, self-help information, and guidance for family law, custody, support, divorce, housing, and more.
https://www.nycourts.gov/courthelp/

8th Judicial District Help Center – Free legal and procedural information for people navigating the courts in Western New York.
https://ww2.nycourts.gov/courts/8jd/helpctr.shtml

Business & Entrepreneurship

Women’s Business Center at Canisius University – Offers free training, counseling, networking, and support for women starting or growing businesses in Buffalo and Western New York.
https://thewomensbusinesscenter.com/

SUNY Buffalo State Small Business Development Center – Free management and technical assistance for startup and existing small businesses.
https://sbdc.buffalostate.edu/

SCORE Western NY – Free mentoring, workshops, templates, and practical startup/growth guidance.
https://www.score.org/westernny

U.S. Small Business Administration –  Women-Owned Businesses – Federal guidance, business funding pathways, and available programs tailored to women entrepreneurs.
https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/grow-your-business/women-owned-businesses

Empire State Development MWBE Program – Offers certifications, classes, and mentorship for women-owned businesses in New York State.
https://esd.ny.gov/doing-business-ny/mwbe

Mentorship & Professional Support

WNY Women’s Foundation – Leadership development, community advocacy, and programming focused on helping women thrive in Western New York.
https://www.wnywomensfoundation.org/

SCORE Mentor Network – Experienced volunteer mentors designed to help women launch or expand businesses.
https://www.score.org/buffaloniagara/local-mentors

Housing & Real Estate Assistance

Buffalo Urban League Housing & Community Development – Provides counseling for first-time home buyers, budgeting and credit education, foreclosure prevention, and fair housing support.
https://www.bulny.org/housing-and-community-development

Home HeadQuarters – Offers loans, grants, housing, and property improvement resources across the Buffalo region and beyond.
https://www.homehq.org/