Westchester Women's Hall of Fame Inducts Senator Stewart-Cousins
May 6, 2016
(Tarrytown - May 6th) Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins was inducted into the Westchester Women's Hall of Fame Friday. The 32nd annual award is presented to a woman whom the Women's Research and Education Fund or WREF determines has made an outstanding to Westchester County.
"There is no one more deserving to join the other 31 notable women in the Westchester Woman's Hall of Fame than Andrea Stewart-Cousins," said
Camille Murphy, Executive Director of WREF. "She joins the ranks of women like Hillary Clinton, Nita Lowey and Janet DiFiore who have made measurable impacts in our society for women and children."
"I stand on the shoulders of giants," said Senator Stewart-Cousins in accepting the prestigious honor, noting that accolades such as this one are a recognition of the work she does on behalf of the people she represents.
In the words of her nominator, Assemblywoman Shelley Mayer of Yonkers, “She has brought intelligence, democratic principles, a steady hand, a firm heart and a winning way.” Throughout her career, Mayer added, Senator Stewart-Cousins “has recognized the importance of strengthening community and grassroots efforts, encouraging citizen participation and activism. She has worked to create a political environment responsive to women’s concerns while working to increase women’s participation in New York politics
Senate Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins is a true trailblazer in state and local government. She is the first female legislative Leader in New York State history. In her life, she has taken on many roles...things like teaching, journalism and of course public service to name just a few but always with the idea of standing up for people.
Her career in public service began in 1992 when she became the first African American to serve as Director of Community Affairs for the City of Yonkers.
As a Westchester County Legislator from 1996 to 2006, she passed Westchester’s first Human Rights Law and brought the "Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program" to Westchester County – which is now a national model for community/medical rape crisis assistance.
She was first elected to the State Senate in 2006. To get to there, she had to unseat a powerful 18-year incumbent. On her first try, she lost by 18 votes. While that would discourage most, Senator Stewart Cousins ran against him again in the very next election, this time winning by 1800 votes. This victory allowed her to take her fight for equality to the state level. She has stood up for pay equity for women, fought for women's health and wellness and always made sure that our schools are building blocks for the future generations.
WREF was founded in 1989 to promote equality and justice for women in Westchester County through training, advocacy and recognition of their achievements. The induction ceremony took place today as part of the “In the Company of Women” event held by WREF and the YWCA of White Plains and Central Westchester, and was held at the Westchester Marriott in Tarrytown.