Some local leaders are spearheading an effort to get more women on to the New York City Council.
City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito joined City Councilwomen Elizabeth Crowley and Margaret Chin on Friday, in Maspeth, to announce the launch of "21 by '21."
The initiative is aimed at getting 21 women elected into the City Council by 2021.
In order to reach that goal, the initiative will be looking for qualified women in all 5 boroughs and then offer to help facilitate their campaigns.
"We know that in every single district in this city that there are talented and exceptional women who should be candidates for office," said Queens Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley.
Of the 51 legislators on the City Council, only 13 are women.
That number is down from 18 female councilmembers in 2009.
"Women need to be at the front and center in the decision-making process around public policy,"said Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. "And yet there are times at important meetings when I'm still the only woman at the table."
The nonprofit Effective NY will be in charge of running the initiative.