Senator Stewart-Cousins Joins NARAL Panel on Women’s Empowerment

Manhattan, NY - New York State Senator and Senate Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-Yonkers) participated in a Women’s Empowerment panel Wednesday night at the community space the Wing in Manhattan. The panel was hosted by NARAL Pro-Choice America and sponsored by the Wing and the microblogging website Tumblr.

The panel was moderated by Mattie Khan, a reporter for Elle Magazine, and also featured NARAL’s president Ilyse Hogue and actress Alia Shawkat of Arrested Development and Broad City fame. The panelists discussed many of the social issues facing women today, an agenda for activism in the coming year, and the ways in which culture and art can drive public conversation and push elected officials to better serve women.

Approximately 150 women attended the event, including 50 members of NARAL and 100 guests of the Wing. The event celebrated the anniversary of the Women’s March and the wave of activism which ensued soon after. During the panel, Stewart-Cousins stressed the importance of political participation and encouraged the audience to stay engaged in the process.

“Every part of your life is governed by politics,” said Senator Stewart-Cousins. “Pay attention to what’s happening in local politics - don’t forget what’s happening on your city or state level. And remember - there is no perfect person. There is no born leader. The perfect person to do something is you.”