Senator Velmanette Montgomery Celebrates Center for Women in Government and Civil Society Fellow

Throughout the 2019 Legislative Session, Aloaye Tisor, a fellow from The Center for Women in Government and Civil Society was placed in the Albany Office. for over 40 years, The Center for Women in Government and Civil Society has promoted the advancement of women in prominent government roles throughout New York State. Throughout the years the Center has served as a platform for hundreds of women to get their first, among many opportunities in State Government. Ultimately opening doors that many women believe where always closed to them. Aloaye Tisor as a fellow was given huge responsiblities, such as being the point person for all budget related fiscal asks from state-wide and constituent groups alike. Aloaye served as the primary staffer for the Senator and accompanied her to meetings with leadership from various state agencies as well as other nonprofit groups. She also was in charge of putting together the series of Round Table discussions on the various needs of youth throughout the state. She coordinated with several Senate Offices to put together successful Round Table Discussions in both New York City and in Syracuse pertaining to Foster Care and Mental Health Services that the youth in each respective area are receiving or what they feel they need to be receiving.

Here is Aloaye's take on here experience in being placed with Senator Montgomery:

My name is Aloaye Tisor and I am a 2019 Fellow on Women & Public Policy at the Rockefeller College, University at Albany. Through this fellowship, I have been honored with the privilege of serving the the 25th District and the Office of NYS Senator Velmanette Montgomery. For this placement, I was able to serve as a liaison on legislation, policy, and constituent matters, as well as organize statewide public roundtables attended by various youth advocates and elected officials. I also crafted and delivered detailed communications, both written and verbal, on behalf of the senator to constituents on a myriad of topics. Furthermore, I was able to manage and organize Budget and Legislative ask of various organizations around NYS. Being in Senator Montgomery’s office not only gave me exposure, but also allowed me to help other young people in the same respect. This was the case when Senator Montgomery asked me to help session assistants put on a program entitled, 'How Women Become Powerbrokers'. At first, I did not believe in my abilities to lead the event in such a short amount of time, but Senator Montgomery and the office staff gave me the support I needed to do so. Every question I had was answered, every “I can’t” was trumped with a “We Can.”  Because of my incredible team, I was able to guide the session assistants to produce a plan of action and create a powerful and moving event.This fellowship made me realize that my strengths outweigh my weaknesses. Before coming to the senator’s office, I was still timid about being in spaces where everyone else did not look like me. Still scared to be the only person of color in the room. Having a seat at the table in the longest sitting NYS senators office, being part of a diverse team, and making many connections with advocates who want to better New York State, has made me realize that I cannot be afraid, intimidated, or weak when it comes to adversity. In order to create effective change, I must change the narrative and take charge. As a black woman who dreams of becoming a change agent, I must assert myself by not demanding, but commanding respect. After this I must also lift others up as I climb to start a continuum of broken barriers. I believe the fellowship experience I have received within the Office of Senator Montgomery has given me the most amount of exposure to real politics and has led me to want to continue public service for marginalized populations for the rest of my life.  Today, I truly believe in myself and other young people more than ever. One piece of advice that Senator Montgomery has left me with and that every youth and young adult should hear is, “Never let your age define what you or anyone else thinks of you.” What really matters is that you can and you will. In such a short time, Senator Montgomery has been one of the most influential people I have met in my entire life. She continues in the Senate with the same principles she started with; integrity, humility, and commitment to serve and advocate for the voiceless. With these principles, she continues as a mentor, activist, and one of New York’s best change agents. I will never be able to thank Senator Montgomery enough for allowing this little black girl from the South Bronx to become catalyst for change. Instead, I will continue to grow, serve, and speak up for the vulnerable and voiceless. I will not succumb to any environment. In the face of both adversity and opportunity, I will strive, and create a path for others to follow suit. 

Aloaye Tisor was accepted into the Excelsior Service Fellowship where she has been placed in the Women's Affairs division within the Executive Chamber. There she will be able to apply her experiences to help influence the way legislation and policy affect women across the State.