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Two Westchester Families Recognized by the UJA for “Making a Difference”

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Via a UJA Federation of New York Release:

(From left) Tina Price, Caryl Orlando, and Nina Ross, all of Scarsdale
(From left) Tina Price, Caryl Orlando, and Nina Ross, all of Scarsdale

More than 350 guests joined UJA-Federation of New York’s Westchester Region as it honored the Beckman family of Scarsdale and the Rieger family of Bedford. At this Westchester Celebration, Yoav Cohen of White Plains was recognized for his contributions as Westchester’s first shaliach, or Israeli emissary, who serves as a cultural bridge between the local community and Israel.

The event took place on April 14 at Brae Burn Country Club in Purchase, where guests came together as a community to applaud the achievements of the honorees for their committed leadership in the Westchester Jewish community and to support UJA-Federation and its network of nearly 100 local and global nonprofits.

The evening’s theme focused on the families’ legacy of transmitting values — including commitment to their Jewish heritage, philanthropy, caring for those in need, and collective responsibility — and recognized the honorees for their dedication to making a difference through their actions.

“In the rich narrative of Jewish history, the Beckmans and Riegers continued the chain by passing these meaningful values to their children,” said UJA-Federation’s Westchester Regional Chair Martine Fleishman of Purchase. She encouraged guests to view an exhibit at the event, a colorful timeline that showcased UJA-Federation’s response to the events that have shaped the Jewish community around the world.

“You’ll see that UJA-Federation’s history may very well mirror your family history in many ways,” she continued. “For nearly 100 years, we’ve responded in times of challenge — during the Great Depression, the darkness of the Holocaust, and the Six-Day War — and in times of joy and opportunity, such as the establishment of the State of Israel and the opening of the Iron Curtain to Soviet Jews.”

An interactive drumming experience kicked off the program and enlivened the evening.

(From left) Honorees Richard and Heidi Rieger of Bedford, Yoav Cohen of White Plains, and Shari and Joel Beckman of Scarsdale
(From left) Honorees Richard and Heidi Rieger of Bedford, Yoav Cohen of White Plains, and Shari and Joel Beckman of Scarsdale

Shari and Joel Beckman, who were honored with their sons, Steven and Jacob, have embraced the values of UJA-Federation for the past 30 years. Shari has served the organization in many capacities, including as Scarsdale area chair and as a member of both the Board of Directors and the Westchester Program Services Cabinet, which provides funding to programs that further the Westchester Jewish community’s efforts to address needs and support new approaches to successful models. Shari’s professional career as a college advisor to high school students has extended to volunteer opportunities, such as working with the Off the Street program, which is run by UJA-Federation beneficiary agency Westchester Jewish Community Services.

Co-founder of Greenbriar Equity Group, a private equity firm in Rye, Joel serves on the Board of Directors for UJA-Federation and the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty. A past board member of theJewish Community Center of Mid-Westchester, he is vice-chairman of the Chordoma Foundation and active in other philanthropic organizations.

Recognized with their daughters, Rebecca, Hillary, and Abigail, Heidi and Richard Rieger have devoted much of their lives to supporting the Jewish people. A member of UJA-Federation’s Board of Directors, Heidi is a founding member of The Neshamot Fund – Westchester Women’s Venture Philanthropy of UJA-Federation. A certified social worker with a part-time practice in Northern Westchester, shecurrently sits on the boards of the Jewish Community Center of Manhattan, Facing History and Ourselves, Clal, The Jewish Education Project, and The Blue Card. Richard serves as a senior advisor to Kingdon Capital. He serves on the board of the University Settlement House, the Photography Committee at MoMA, and the board of trustees at the Ethical Culture Fieldston School.

As shaliach, Yoav Cohen has built bridges and fostered understanding between the community and Israel. Born in Johannesburg, Yoav lived in South Africa until the age of 12, when he moved to Israel. He served in the IDF as a platoon commander and fitness trainer. Following his service, he worked in Israel’s high-tech sector at software giant SAP and then in the academic world at IDC Herzliya. He also co-founded friendasoldier.com, an innovative dialogue website connecting former IDF soldiers with the rest of the world.

(From left) Lois Kohn-Claar of Scarsdale, Tracey Bilski of Chappaqua, and Anita Greenwald of Armonk
(From left) Lois Kohn-Claar of Scarsdale, Tracey Bilski of Chappaqua, and Anita Greenwald of Armonk

The gathering also heard from Eric S. Goldstein, UJA-Federation’s CEO. “Westchester is an extraordinary philanthropic community,” he told the gathering. Speaking to the honorees, he added, “You represent the best of this community, and we’re grateful to you.”

Mindy and Andrew Feldman of Harrison, Janie and Adam Frieman of New Rochelle, Anita and Richard Greenwald of Armonk, Michele and Judah Kraushaar of Chappaqua, Randi and Dan Kreisler of Pleasantville, and Nancy and Robert Rieger of Rye served as event chairs.

About UJA-Federation of New York

For more than 95 years, UJA-Federation has inspired New Yorkers to act on their values and invest in our community for the biggest impact. Through UJA-Federation, more than 50,000 donors address issues that matter most to them, pooling their resources to care for New Yorkers of all backgrounds and Jews everywhere, to connect people to their Jewish communities, and to respond to crises close to home and around the globe. Working with nearly 100 beneficiary agencies, synagogues, and other Jewish organizations, UJA-Federation is the world’s largest local philanthropy; our reach spans from New York to Israel to more than 70 other countries around the world, touching 4.5 million people each year. For more information on how to donate or volunteer, please visit our website at www.ujafedny.org.

Getting to Know Georgia Hobaica Frasch

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georgia-f
Georgia, multi-tasking per usual. Melani Lust Photo

A Chappaqua Mom Extraordinaire!

By Grace Bennett

When Georgia Hobaica Frasch (friends call her Georgie) arrived in Chappaqua eight years ago, she could not have predicted that, fast forward three years, she would be so heavily involved with a powerfully influential social media platform (now over 5,000 members strong) that has been all the rage in New Castle: Chappaqua Moms on Facebook!

Georgia, and her husband Ron Frasch, a former President of Saks Fifth Avenue and CEO of Bergdorf Goodman’s, arrived here for the same reasons so many of us do: they viewed Chappaqua as a wonderful place to raise a new family, and they prepared to take advantage of our highly ranked schools and all the natural beauty this town has to offer.

And it is here that the couple has been happily raising twins: Honor, a 5th grader at Bell, Christian, a 5th grader at the Windward School in White Plains; and Gracie Bea., a second grader at Roaring Brook. The most recent adorable addition, Buster, a mini goldendoodle puppy greeted me too, wagging his tail happily from inside his crate.

While their house hunting began in Greenwich, the couple shifted their sights to Chappaqua, after falling in love with a 1902 Center Hall Colonial on Hardscrabble Road, a home they have lovingly and completely refurbished, including restoring an original, stone chapel in the backyard–and in 2013, adding a jewel of a pool. Their quaint and welcoming but meticulously restored home has since been featured in a New Castle House Tour by the New Castle Historical Society, and Georgia has added membership on the board of the NCHS to an impressive list of volunteer activities. “I have a million ideas for ways to promote local music, art and history,” she excitedly shared.

Georgia and Ron at a St. Luke’s Orchestra gala
Georgia and Ron at a St. Luke’s Orchestra gala

Indeed, what emerged most from meeting Georgia is that while many of you may know her best as the lady who so diplomatically manages so much of the chatter on Chappaqua Moms–the page originally founded by professional photographer and Chappaqua Mom Julie Scott–there is way more to Georgia than her role with Chappaqua Moms. The same combination of TLC and professionalism she displays on a Facebook page is in full swing elsewhere too.

But first, there are humble beginnings to note…underpinnings of the seemingly storybook life Georgia leads today. Her early life experiences shaped her deeply ingrained work ethic and also a profound sense of appreciation for everything she enjoys today.  That is as true for her as it is for her husband Ron too, she related. “I pinch myself every day. I never lose sight of the fact that I’ve been blessed to have everything I’ve ever wanted. I’m so content,” she said. “Ron and I both come from similar backgrounds and feel honored to be able to give back to the community”

For Georgia, giving back has been an exercise of offering her time toward what she is most passionate about. Music, and specifically a love for Bach, ranks as #1. 
“I studied piano as a child and classical music really spoke to me, especially Bach,” said Georgia, who, after ten years on the board, is now Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the prestigious Orchestra of St. Luke’s–the orchestra that is in residency at Carnegie Hall and the Morgan Library from fall to spring, and every summer at Caramoor.

She is also on the advisory board of the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee and on the Board of Directors for The Bach Vespers in New York City.

Georgia and her family in Paris
Georgia and her family in Paris

Georgia was born in Utica, New York, in 1962.  Her parents were both first generation Lebanese. The family struggled for a time while her father went to dental school (thanks to the provisions of a GI Bill) and her mother raised Georgia, the eldest of three children. She describes jobs cleaning homes in Utica at age 12 to start saving money for college. “I had three or four houses I cleaned. I did what I had to do. I raked leaves too and sold Christmas cards door to door.” 
Georgia was also a bright, diligent student. And in high school, she studied Italian for all four years.

With a proficiency in Italian, she was off to enjoy a three-month exchange program “all over” Italy immediately post high school. Soon, Georgia (while working full time at Barney’s) attended the Fashion Institute of Technology and graduated in 1982. Her next plan was to attend Boston University to study art history. She never made it to B.U., she explained, after being approached by Zanella, the Italian men’s clothing company, to help them develop a fledgling women’s wear line. (They were impressed by her Italian language skills!) The only caveat was “that I’d have to be available to travel every six weeks to Italy.”

“I was having doubts about art history, and wondering how I would parlay that into making more money to support myself,” she said.  Accepting the job offer, Georgia began to lay the groundwork for a highly successful career in the merchandising and production of Italian luxury goods.

Early on, at Zanella, Georgia met her first husband from Stockholm, a marriage that lasted three years. Between that time and when she met Ron, Georgia described a “Sex in the City” single-woman lifestyle, living in several Italian cities:
“I dated but I also had a knack for staying friends with most of the men I went out with- some are still my closest friends!”

At the same time, Georgia’s career catapulted her to roles at different Italian wear companies, and she continued to grow professionally–first at Malo (an eight year position running their women’s cashmere division in Florence) and finally at the famed Rebecca Moses, north of Milan.

While at Rebecca Moses, Georgia met Ron Frasch (but not for the first time), at the Principe Hotel in Milan; they were both there for the Italian fashion shows. He was with his people and Georgia was with hers. The encounter was professional: “In fact, I had been keeping a clipping folder on Ron since my days back at Zanella,” she recalls. Following one meeting in which Ron was clearly harboring a secret crush, a date followed at Calle Ocho in NYC. “We had such a great time, and discovered we were both from upstate. We laughed our heads off; I thought he was a wonderful man but that maybe I could set him up with an older and beautiful woman I knew.”

Chappaqua Mom’s founder, photographer Julie Scott with Georgia
Chappaqua Mom’s founder, photographer Julie Scott with Georgia

She continued, “I didn’t think of him as a candidate. I was 38 and he was 53. I still wanted kids; he already had grown children!” (Ron’s kids from his first marriage are Nicholas, who lives in New Mexico, and Laura, outside of Atlanta.) A cat and mouse game ensued for weeks as Georgia did possess a clear “sense that he liked me.”

“Ron was everything I was looking for but we seemed to be in different places in our lives.” Ron wasn’t letting this one go without a fight, however.  On Bleeker Street, over another date at Da Silvano–a hot spot of “who’s who in the fashion world”–the two kept comically being interrupted by fashion celebrity figures.

“Just as Ron was getting confessional, Calvin Klein came over to our table, and then the fashion director of Bloomingdales. Finally, Ron found a quiet, intimate moment in which to say to Georgia that he thought we made a “great couple” and would make “even better parents!” Basically, Ron Frasch made crystal clear to Georgia that he was open to having more children. “We quickly fell head over heels, crazy in love, and went off for a magical year of travel, south of France, Capri, Portofino…

That these love birds eventually found their way to raising three children in Chappaqua in recent years has proved to be a boon to the community at large.

In 2008, Chappaqua-based photographer Julie Scott, then a parent of preschoolers, decided that a “Chappaqua Moms” page on Facebook would foster a much-needed sense of community. And not only as a place to exchange tips for travel or find a referral to a good plumber.

“In dire circumstances, especially, such as Hurricane Sandy and the recent Metro North tragedy, it has been an incredible tool.” Over time, Julie tapped Georgia for help with the page. “She was very encouraging and supportive of me and has become a great friend too,” Julie explained.

“Georgia puts so much of her time into it, and I applaud her efforts. Three years ago, after Sandy hit, Georgia said they thought it would be good to “open the group to other towns to share information and resources,” and membership then quickly exploded.

So, of course, I had to ask: “With all you do, Georgia, why are you taking the time to manage Chappaqua Moms?” She was very prepared to share her reasons:

“I view it as a civic obligation to the community.”

“I enjoy it.”

“I enjoy seeing people come together for the greater good.”

“I feel satisfied and fulfilled to be part of that process.”

“I am proud of the many philanthropic and kind people in this community. When a call to arms is raised, we come together: whether it is helping a family forced out of a home on account of a fire, or helping to find transport for a mom going through chemo, or creating meal trains for people who are ill or otherwise challenged. We have collected eyeglasses for third world countries and bundles and bundles of clothing.”

What have you learned, I asked. Georgia is unequivocal when she states that she believes in the goodness of everyone. “If people are given a chance to do good, they will. Chappaqua Moms offers that platform. I am very proud to be part of a virtual Main Street USA that connects people in the community.

It is not without its issues.

The exchanges can create a guise of intimacy that can be somewhat false, Georgia offered gently. “People write things they might say to a friend but forget it is being broadcast to 5,000 people.”

“Sometimes, comments exceed the boundaries of graciousness and good manners,” she adds too, with a wink.

“I give everyone the benefit of the doubt, however; I’m not Judge Judy; I don’t want to act as the arbiter of what is polite and what’s not. But I draw the line if there is character assassination, name calling and business bashing. I’ll private message the offender first with a heads up.”

By and large, the greater good far outweighs the occasional conflict. “It’s a wonderful group of people. We support our local moms and help get the word out about who we are and what we can do for each other and the community.”

Grace Bennett, publisher and editor of Inside Chappaqua and Inside Armonk Magazines, has gotten great story tips “listening to Chappaqua Moms talk” and appreciates the opportunity to share Inside Press posts with this virtual community. 

 

Latch-Key Love (Thanks, Mom!)

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hand-key-pixBy Dan Levitz

When I was in first grade, my Mom went back to work and informed me that I would be coming home to an empty house two days a week. She assured me that she’d be 20 minutes away by car and would come home immediately if I ever needed her. She gave me a house-key tied to a shoe-string and put it around my neck. She told me that if I didn’t lose it she’d upgrade the string to a silver chain before long. The only time she ever actually had to come home was when I fell off my bike, and, by then, the string had progressed to a gold-filled chain. Years later, a father to small children myself, I asked her if she was out of her mind having a six-year-old come home to an empty house. She replied with absolute certainty, “I knew you could handle it.” She was right, and I believe that experience nudged me in the direction of being an independent person.

In 6th Grade, our teacher assigned a 50-page term report about a specific country. This was way beyond anything I felt I could ever accomplish. 
I knew I’d have to write a lot of words about Japan but, beyond that, I had no clue. We had almost the whole year to work on it and, literally the night before it was due, I approached my Mom, handed her my wildly chaotic and disorganized notes and asked her to turn them into at least 50 typed pages, single-spaced please. At the time, I couldn’t really understand the pained expression on her face, but I clung to the fact that months earlier she’d said she’d type it. It never occurred to me that she might have needed more notice. My grade wasn’t great, but 
I’ll never forget that she stayed up most of the night typing for her 
screw-up son.

Just as high school began, along with all new freshmen, I was evaluated by the school speech therapist who quickly determined that I needed to come see him three times a week to work on my serious speech impediment. Throughout my entire education this had never come up. Terrible penmanship? Sure. Sloppy work-habits? Absolutely. However, I had always thought that my ability to enunciate was one of my few natural gifts. That this professional, who, I might add, happened to lisp himself, so fervently believed that I needed to work with him was horribly upsetting. As I was self-conscious to begin with, and now terrified, I told my Mother about the situation and she said quite calmly, “He’s out of his mind; you have my permission to not go at all.” That was enough for me. I never went to see him, and, although he did become something of a nemesis, the welcome support from my Mom enabled me to defy that particular authority figure (which was not a natural thing for me to do back then).

In college, I was amazed at how some of my peers were just going berserk with new-found freedom–crazy over-indulgent behavior that sometimes evolved into self-destruction. 
I was having a great time, but didn’t feel drunk with freedom because I had actually been afforded a lot of independence while in high school. No hard curfew and a general policy that, as long as I was responsible, I could pretty much do my own thing. I had friends whose parents would flip out if they weren’t home by midnight. I remember my Mom’s explanation about why she didn’t worry if I was out late, “If something happens to you I’ll hear about.” This was a simple and coolly logical approach; it’s one I may have trouble replicating as a parent, but it worked for her and ultimately was a gift to me.

My Mom was an entrepreneur. She went into business with her kid sister, which is why I sometimes came home to an empty house as a kid. The business lasted for 35 years and, besides my Father, it was clearly the passion of her life. She traveled all over the world in connection with the business, met a myriad of interesting people and forged her own path; this after her previous life of being a doctor’s wife which she found unfulfilling until she went off to work. She’s retired now but she keeps busy wheeling and dealing, happily selling the art, books, jewelry and other collections that she’s so happily accumulated over the years.

I can’t say that my Mom always knew exactly what she was doing as a parent, but I now understand that no parent ever really does. I do know that she’s always seen the best in me no matter what, and that’s not a bad place to start.

Dan Levitz has been a Chappaqua resident for 11 years. Lorraine Levitz, at 88, can most likely be found in Lower Manhattan on her daily two-hour walk.

May Flowers

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Beth Besen
Beth Besen

May. It’s a month we all know and love for flowers (thank you, April Showers), and know and love too for that special day each year when many of us bring or send those flowers to Mom! Yes, May is famous for our celebration of flowers and women.

Maybe it all starts with celebratory flowers when baby is born. Before long, those babes are starfish-fingered pre-schoolers earnestly drawing flowers with fat crayons and all their love. Mommy is their world. A little older, a little more independent, elementary school-aged children and pre-teens still sign their cards with hearts and flowers. But they’re, perhaps, a little more careful when they color, trying hard to stay inside the lines on their construction paper while testing lines and boundaries elsewhere. Mom may be cool one day, annoying the next. Teen years are a challenge for most parents–forget flowers, moms are often just grateful to be given the time of day! But, come college and after, smiles return. And so do the flowers.

From my slightly clichéd meditations on motherhood, to others’ somewhat more provocative inferences regarding women and flowers, connections between the two abound. Christian Dior is quoted as saying After women, flowers are the most divine creations. And who has not blushed, even slightly, at 
Georgia O’Keeffe’s resplendently 
feminine floral paintings? Extending the metaphor, I suggest you think of this issue of Inside Chappaqua as a hothouse for exceptionally beautiful blooms! Yes, the women we highlight are each unique and special. They’re mothers, daughters, sisters, wives. They’re friends, they’re co-workers, they’re inspirational yet often very humble about all they’ve done and all they do.

In fact, speaking of Georgias, our cover girl is none other than Georgia Hobaica Frasch. Known to many as the behind-the-scenes face of the Chappaqua Moms facebook group, Georgia sits down in her beautifully restored, turn-of-the-last-century home with none other than our very own Grace Bennett. These two powerhouse women discuss and dish all, from Georgia’s humble childhood to her fashionista career to her busy life here in the ‘burbs. Talk about an Inside story!

As powerful women go, few can keep up with Robin Murphy! A wearer of many hats, she’s a whirlwind of activity; tending her children or her upstate home’s animals, supervising her cleaning industry staff and, lately, overseeing the busy weekly orders of the Wholeshare Group she founded. In fact, I barely caught Robin in time to make this issue’s deadline–she was busy as usual; this time, she explained with much joy, leaving for her first real vacation in over ten years!

The list continues with the incomparable Varda Singer. A longtime resident and business owner, Varda is as well-known for her distinctive personal beauty and style as she is for her stylish and beautiful jewelry designs and welcoming boutique. We share her story, photos and some mom wisdom too–A mom is a mom forever. Your children depend on you whether they’re three years old or forty years old.–in a profile piece you simply won’t want to miss.

We also meet New Castle’s new Historical Society Executive Director, Cassie Ward. Cassie comes to us from National Park Services in Washington DC and Virginia’s 400-acre Longbranch Plantation. What’s more, she comes with an engaging enthusiasm and passion to energize the NCHS with new and exciting ideas for community projects and involvement.

Often the most moving stories resonate because they come from a place we can all relate to–a need fulfilled. One such remarkable tale is that of Girl AGain, the brainstorm boutique born of Marjorie Madfis’s desire to help her autistic daughter find happiness, comfort and learning. Modeled on the American Girl Doll store in Manhattan, it’s a very special place for those with special needs.

What else? Plenty! Let’s not forget that May is also the month in which we honor the men and women who serve and have served our country. The stars and stripes fly high above marchers and wave proudly from sidelines during Chappaqua’s Memorial Day Parade. The annual event boasts famous names and service corps members, school bands, scout troops and others. It’s always a great day to come on down to town and show community support and spirit in addition to national patriotism.

Another highlight–Penny Vane, beloved by so many and from such wide and varied circles, is also remembered and celebrated with stories and photos that share her vibrant life with the rest of us here in town.

Speaking of memorial observances, I too pause and reflect as this holiday approaches. Two years ago, I lost my father right after Memorial Day. A veteran, as well as a man who fought a brilliant fight against the horribly debilitating disease Parkinson’s, dad was inspirational to the end.

One of my favorite songs as a young girl was the folksong Where Have All the Flowers Gone? On a loop in my head as I sign off this issue, I wish everyone a May filled with peace, love and flowers to every purpose.

Breathe and enjoy,

Hillary Clinton’s Hometown and State Public Officials Weigh in on her Second Historical Bid

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Hillary Clinton Photo by Ari Bennett

NitaLoweyhillary by ari

“I am very pleased to hear that Hillary Clinton is running for President of the United States. It would be a tremendous honor to have a sitting President, a past President and a sitting Governor, all living in New Castle. I was humbled when Hillary swore me in as Town Supervisor of New Castle, and at the time I said that I would happily return the favor by attending her inauguration as President of the United States. I applaud her distinguished career in public service and wish her the best during the upcoming campaign.”
Robert Greenstein, Town Supervisor, Town of New Castle

“I am thrilled to hear about Hillary Clinton’s decision to run for President of the United States and to therefore become…the very first woman president!! Starting with the first time I met the Clintons after they had just moved to Chappaqua, and I was standing outside of my firm’s office (which was then located on South Greeley Avenue), and then throughout the years and the many by-chance meetings while shopping or dining out in town and of course, at all the Memorial Day Parades–I have always felt it a real honor to call Hillary Clinton my “neighbor.” And, a true neighbor she is! Hillary is a warm and friendly presence here, a wonderful role model for our daughters (and sons) and she goes above and beyond–always “shopping local” as an enthusiastic supporter of our business community and our community overall. I couldn’t be more excited!! Go Hillary… all the way to Pennsylvania Avenue!
Dawn Dankner-Rosen, President, Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce

“I am very pleased that Hillary Clinton will be running for President of the United States, both as a long-time supporter and her State Assemblyman. Secretary Clinton brings the skills we need in a President to tackle the challenges that face the United States and the world. In addition, the Clintons have played an important role in raising the profile of our region, attracting national attention. To have a sitting President of the United States as our friend and neighbor in Chappaqua would highlight the hamlet’s historic and unique charms. I believe her presidency would be a great step ahead for Chappaqua and the entire country.”
New York State Assemblyman David Buchwald, D-Mt. Kisco

“Hillary has devoted her life’s work to public service. Among her many accomplishments, Hillary was a great partner in delivering relief to New York after September 11th and health coverage for more than 6 million American children. She has advanced women’s and gay rights domestically and internationally, and effectively represented the United States on the world stage. It has been my great honor to call Hillary Clinton my friend and constituent, Senator, and Secretary of State. I will work hard to ensure that in two years, we call her “Madam President.”
Congresswoman Nita Lowey, D-New York

“Hillary Clinton has been a lifelong champion for middle-class families, an advocate for the underserved, and a fighter for civil rights. Her record reflects the steadfast belief that every American, no matter their race, gender or ethnicity, should have the right to achieve economic security and opportunity. She is a tested leader with the resilience and experience to be a great President. I was honored to work closely with her in the Clinton Administration, during a time of historic peace, prosperity and progress for our nation. Having known and worked with her for over 20 years, I wholeheartedly endorse Hillary Clinton’s campaign for President.”
New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

“I was there the night Hillary won her first, tough bid for Senate after months of hard work. And now I hope to be there when she declares victory in November of 2016, as the first woman president-elect in the United States. Make no mistake–she’ll win. And when Hillary wins, we’ll all win. The country will have a president that values the middle class and fights for families the way Hillary has her entire career.
U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, D-New York

“I am thrilled Hillary Clinton is running and will do everything I can to help make sure she makes history as our first woman president. I will never forget when I heard then-First Lady Clinton speak about the need to improve the lives of women and children around the globe. Her clarion call that women’s rights are human rights was heard around the world and inspired me to choose public service. I cannot wait to help her in the Senate make her vision for a better world a reality. We’re entering a new era of our history with challenges distinct from those we faced even just eight years ago. Our next president must have the intellect, passion and experience to confront what’s ahead and secure the promise of equal opportunity for every American. Hillary shares that vision for a better future, one that we believe in for families and for ourselves. It’s time for us to do what we can together to make that vision a reality for middle class families. It’s time to get to work.”
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, D-New York

Secretary Hillary Clinton’s statement announcing her long awaited for candidacy…

“I was raised with the belief that living in this country was one of the greatest blessings anyone could have.

Today, for so many families, the path to lasting prosperity is unclear.

Families have fought their way back from tough economic times. But it’s not enough — not when the average CEO makes about 300 times what the average worker makes.

Everyday Americans need a champion, and I want to be that champion.

I’ve spent my entire life standing up for women, children, families, and anyone who needed a little help along the way. That’s what this campaign will be about, and that’s what I’ll do every single day as your president.

It’s time for us to fight for people like my dad, who ran a small business and committed himself to building a better life for his family. People like my mom, who relied on the kindness of others to get through a tough childhood — and like my baby granddaughter, who deserves to grow up in a country where every single kid has the opportunity to live up to her or his potential.

This won’t be easy. And I won’t take anything for granted. I’m going to work my heart out to earn every single vote, because I know it’s your time.”