Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins Honored By Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus

New Rochelle, NY - On October 20th, Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins was honored by the Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus last night at the group’s 40th Anniversary Gala at the Glen Island Harbour Club.

The Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus, or WBWPC, works to involve African American women in the political process and supports African American women who run for and hold elected office. Since 1976, the Caucus has fought for a vision that includes improving socioeconomic conditions within communities of color, helping people of color obtain equal access to housing, daycare, and employment opportunities and strengthening the political power of black women in Westchester County. 

The organization honored seven pioneering black women who built strong political careers in Westchester and helped the Caucus empower black voters. Honorees included Senator Stewart-Cousins, former Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson, Pearl Quarles, Lois Bronz, Akia Shanghai, Anne Grant and Joan Mosley. 

Senator Stewart-Cousins was honored with the Mary McLeod Bethune Award for her long legacy of advocating for the underserved and fighting for working families. She was the first African American to serve as the Director of Community Affairs for the City of Yonkers in 1992, and she worked as a Westchester County legislator from 1996 – 2006, eventually rising to the position of Vice-Chair. In 2006 she was elected to the State Senate, and in December 2012, her colleagues selected her to serve as Leader of the Senate Democratic Conference - the first woman to lead a legislative conference in New York State history.

“The Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus has established a strong political foundation in Westchester and has helped to enfranchise women of color throughout the county,” said Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins. “It’s an honor and a privilege to be included among the ranks of such extraordinary, trailblazing women, and I’m proud to stand with them in support of the Caucus’ mission. The best way to honor this work is to continue to engage and empower women of color and to encourage a culture that involves them in the political process. We, as a county, have reaped enormous benefits because the women standing next to me worked hard to reach such astounding heights – and I know the Caucus will help many other extraordinary women achieve their full potential.”

For more information about the Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus, please visit: https://www.wbwpc.org/.