Andrea Stewart-Cousins, the Democratic County Legislator for
the 16th District of Yonkers, brings to the leadership of the
Legislature her extensive experience in both the private sector
and public service. A former AT&T marketing professional,
journalist, teacher, and personnel manager, Stewart-Cousins was
appointed as Director of Community Affairs for the City of Yonkers
in 1992. She was the first African-American to hold the position
and her work resulted in major new city initiatives, special programs,
and commemorative programs. Stewart-Cousins is widely recognized
for her continued efforts to strengthen and empower the Yonkers
community.
She helped create the first union/government internship programs
for youths in New York State; the establishment of the City’s
first internship program for the disabled; and the founding of
the City’s annual toy and coat drive. Moreover, Stewart-Cousins
helped found SOYO (Southwest Yonkers Planning Association) and
“Art on Main,” the City’s arts program, to help revitalize the
City’s downtown waterfront and she spearheaded Yonkers first “Policy
of Inclusion,” to benefit women- and minority-owned businesses.
Stewart-Cousins won her first bid for public office in 1995 when
she was elected County Legislator of Yonkers’ 16th District. The
first African American woman to represent Yonkers on the County
Board, Stewart-Cousins serves as the Board’s Majority Whip and
has distinguished herself as one of the Legislature’s most influential
voices.
Currently serving her fourth term in office, Legislator Stewart-Cousins
is the first African American woman to chair the Board’s powerful
Legislation Committee. As chair, she authored the County’s first
Human Rights legislation. In December of 1999 the bill was signed
into law, creating a commission that has been called “the most
progressive in the nation.” The new law protects everyone in Westchester
County from acts of discrimination in employment, job training,
housing, credit and business practices, and seeks to prevent discrimination
against individuals based on race, color, religion, creed, age,
national origin, citizenship, marital status, gender, disability,
or sexual orientation.
In addition to her responsibilities as Legislation Committee Chair,
Legislator Stewart-Cousins serves as Co-chair of the Special Committee
on Housing and a member of the Committee on Budget and Appropriations
and the Committee on Community Affairs. Stewart-Cousins, then
Chair of the Health Committee, was instrumental in bringing the
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program to Yonkers as a pilot
project which has now become a national program. The program helps
victims of sexual abuse by providing expert services 24 hours
a day, seven days a week, 365 days per year.
Dedicated to civic service, Stewart-Cousins serves on several
community boards including Youth Theatre Interaction, Rockland
Psychiatric, Yonkers Community Action Program, and Riverside Hospital.
She is the recipient of many awards and citations. She was named
the Business and Professional Women’s Club 1998 “Woman of the
Year,” the Community Health Centers of New York State’s “Legislator
of the Year,” and in 1999 she received Pace Law School’s first
“Leader in Social Justice” award. She is listed in several publications
of “Who’s Who.”
A state-certified mediator, Legislator Stewart-Cousins earned
her Bachelor of Science Degree from Pace University and her teaching
certification in business education from Lehman College. She is
currently enrolled in Pace University’s Masters Program in Public
Administration. The mother of three, she resides in Yonkers with
her husband Tom. In her spare time she teaches meditation.
