Meet Vivian
THE FIRST WOMAN AND FIRST PERSON OF COLOR ELECTED TO THE 32 ASSEMBLY DISTRICT
When the Kennedy Airport and airfreight expansion threatened her community in Jamaica, Queens, Vivian E. Cook spoke out for residents to make sure their voices were heard. This activism propelled her to become the first women and person of color to be elected to the State Assembly in the 32nd district.
Having represented the 32 District for over 30 years, Assemblywoman Cook has helped to build recreational and park space, improve access to medical care for seniors and funded numerous upgrades to Rochdale Village, to make sure it can be a place families can afford to live in now and in the future.
A SOLID REPUTATION AS A FIGHTER FOR OUR COMMUNITY
Assemblywoman Cook has continued to make her mark in Albany advocating for her constituents. One of the gems in Jamaica is Rochdale Village, and she worked to ensure it would remain affordable and serve the needs of residents now and into the future. In the years she has represented the co-op, Rochdale has received technology and environmental upgrades so it can continue to be a warm and welcoming place for residents. Assemblywoman Cook also funded the building or improvements of several parks in Jamaica such as the Baisley Park Extension on 150th Street, Dr. Charles R. Drew Memorial Park between 115th and 116th Avenues, the 140th Street Park next to the Van Wyck Expressway, and Rochdale Park, including the recreation building and tennis courts.
Recently in Albany, Assemblywoman Cook has introduced legislation to mandate that long-term care contracts are renewable each year for seniors, sponsored legislation that would address nursing shortages that occurred after COVID-19, and sponsored legislation that would enforce affordable housing corporation grants to connect people with the housing they need. The Assemblywoman’s work is not done yet, and that’s why we need to send her back to Albany so she can continue to represent Jamaica, Queens.
