Andrea Alice Stewart-Cousins is an American politician and educator from Yonkers, New York.
30 Facts About Andrea Stewart-Cousins
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Andrea Stewart-Cousins has previously served twice as acting lieutenant governor of New York under Governor Kathy Hochul, for 16 days in 2021 and between April and May 2022.
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Andrea Stewart-Cousins is the first Black woman to serve as the New York lieutenant governor, although in an acting capacity.
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Andrea Stewart-Cousins is the first woman in the history of New York State to lead a conference in the New York State Legislature and is the first female Senate Majority Leader in New York history.
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Andrea Stewart-Cousins was first elected to the New York State Senate in 2006.
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Andrea Stewart-Cousins previously served as a Westchester County Legislator from 1996 to 2006.
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Andrea Stewart-Cousins became acting lieutenant governor on August 24,2021, when Governor Andrew Cuomo resigned and Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul ascended to the governorship.
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Andrea Stewart-Cousins Alice Stewart was born on September 2,1950, in New York City.
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Andrea Stewart-Cousins is the daughter of Bob Stewart, a decorated World War II veteran and repairman, and Beryl Stewart, a stenographer and community activist.
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The Stewart family resided in public housing in Manhattan and the Bronx, and Andrea Stewart-Cousins suffered from chronic asthma.
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Andrea Stewart-Cousins spent twenty years in the private sector, including thirteen years in sales and marketing with New York Telephone.
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Andrea Stewart-Cousins earned her Bachelor of Science Degree from Pace University and her teaching credentials in Business Education from Lehman College.
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Andrea Stewart-Cousins received her Masters of Public Administration from Pace University in May 2008 and is a member of Pi Alpha Alpha, the public administration honor society.
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Andrea Stewart-Cousins pursued careers in journalism and teaching before entering public service.
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Andrea Stewart-Cousins advocated for and contributed to the revitalization of the City of Yonkers and was a founder of the original "Art on Main Street".
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Andrea Stewart-Cousins was a co-creator of "River Fest", a widely attended multi-cultural citywide celebration on the Hudson River in Yonkers.
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Andrea Stewart-Cousins authored living wage laws, smoke-free workplace laws, tougher gun laws, laws that prosecute predatory lenders, tax cuts for seniors and veterans, and Westchester County's first human rights laws.
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Andrea Stewart-Cousins first ran for New York State Senate in 2004, but incumbent Republican Sen.
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Andrea Stewart-Cousins voted in favor of same-sex marriage legislation on December 2,2009, but the bill was defeated.
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Andrea Stewart-Cousins is a vocal supporter of abortion rights, and has pushed for legislation to expand abortion access in the State of New York.
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On December 17,2012, Andrea Stewart-Cousins was elected Senate Democratic Leader.
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Andrea Stewart-Cousins is the first woman in history to lead a conference in the New York State Legislature.
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On January 9,2019, Andrea Stewart-Cousins was elected Senate Majority Leader.
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Andrea Stewart-Cousins serves as the body's Majority Leader and Temporary President, and is the first female Senate Majority Leader in New York history.
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In 2019, Andrea Stewart-Cousins sponsored the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019, which overhauled the rules affecting rent-controlled apartments in New York City.
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Per state law, as state Senate Majority Leader, Andrea Stewart-Cousins became the state's Acting lieutenant governor until Hochul appointed a full-time replacement.
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Andrea Stewart-Cousins was the first Black woman to serve in this role.
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In 2019, Andrea Stewart-Cousins was named to Crain's New York Business biennial list of the "Most Powerful Women in New York".
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On September 14,2021 Andrea Stewart-Cousins received the Samuel Untermyer award for distinguished civic leadership.
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Andrea Stewart-Cousins was honored at Untermyer Gardens in her hometown of Yonkers, New York.