Senator Stavisky Addresses CUNY Students At Women’s Leadership Conference

Flushing, NY— On Friday, October 30, Senator Toby Ann Stavisky (D-Flushing) sat on a panel of women lawmakers at the 11th Annual CUNY/New York Times Women’s Leadership Conference at Hunter College. The program aims to encourage, mentor and support female CUNY student leaders.

Joined by Assemblywomen Diana Richards (D-Brooklyn), Debra Glick (D-Manhattan) and Rebecca Seawright (D-Manhattan), Senator Stavisky shared some of the struggles faced by women in public office.

“The truth is, there are people who, even to this day, believe women do not belong in the legislature,” Stavisky said to the auditorium of budding leaders. “But what keeps me inspired and what keeps my colleagues here inspired, are the accomplishments we achieve. There are tough times, but there are also successes. Those successes are what keep me going.”

Senator Stavisky is the first woman from Queens County to be elected to Senate and the first woman to chair the Senate Committee on Higher Education. A product of the CUNY system, the senator encouraged the students to get involved now, while they’re still in school.

“College is a great place to get involved,” Senator Stavisky said. “I think it’s important for you  to choose something that interests you and learn as much as you possibly can. You want to be the one who people come to, the person who knows exactly what is going on.”

After fielding some questions from moderator and Brooklyn College President Karen Gould, Senator Stavisky met with some of the students to listen to their ideas and encourage them to continue pushing forward.

###