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Daily Voice Leaders: State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins

YONKERS, N.Y. -- State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins' political career has been marked by a series of firsts.

State Senator Andrea Stewart Cousins discussed how she got into politics, her trip to Cuba and the concerns facing Westchester County residents.

Photo Credit: Joe Jenkins

Stewart-Cousins was the first female in state history to lead her party. She was also part of the first state delegation, along with Gov. Andrew Cuomo, to visit Cuba after the process of normalization between the communist nation and the U.S. began. 

"Its a humbling, humbling role to play," Stewart-Cousins told Daily Voice. "The obligation of being first in anything--especially if its a good thing--is to leave a path so you won't be the last." 

During her tenure as a politician, Stewart-Cousins has always been a trail blazer, voting for measures like same sex marriage as a state senator as well as Westchester's first civil rights laws while serving as a county legislator.

Today, Stewart-Cousins, a former teacher, keeps a focus on the public school system.

"I have a real commitment to public education because for someone like me, it was the great equalizer," Stewart-Cousins said. "I have a very diverse district. I represent parts of Yonkers, White Plains, New Rochelle, Greenburgh and Scarsdale and the schools a different. Where one sees great opportunity in every school. some schools have more than others. What I want to do is make sure that zip code doesn't determine your educational outcome."

Stewart-Cousins Discussed:

  • Being the first female conference leader in state history. (0:08 into clip)
  • Impressions on Cuba and the importance the country can play at a county level. (1:58 into clip)
  • The state of Westchester's public schools. (3:34 into clip)
  • Primary concerns and challenges facing Westchester residents. (5:17 into clip)
  • How she (Stewart-Cousins) got into politics. (6:35 into clip)

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