U.S. Representative Kirsten Gillibrand '84
New York State Governor David Paterson named U.S. Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-Greenport, to replace Hillary Clinton in the U.S. Senate at noon today. Kirsten is a 1984 graduate of Emma Willard School. Listen to the school’s Morning Reports announcement here.
Emma Willard School released the following statement on this historic occasion:
Emma Willard School is very proud of the appointment of Kirsten Gillibrand ‘84 to the United States Senate. While a student at Emma Willard, Senator Gillibrand was a classroom leader and an outstanding athlete (number one singles tennis). She managed the school newspaper and served as a student council representative and yearbook photographer. As a senior, she was inducted into the Cum Laude Society, the school’s highest academic distinction.
Despite the demands of her career and family, Senator Gillibrand has remained connected to Emma Willard having recently addressed a gathering of prospective students, an AP government class, and the 2007 symposium, Women, Power, and Responsibility. This past fall, nine of our current students interned in her regional office during her campaign for re-election.
We were delighted when she was elected to Congress and watched with admiration as she worked for constituents in New York’s 20th congressional district. We are confident she will bring to the Senate the same determination, dedication, and transparency she has demonstrated as a representative.
For nearly 200 years, Emma Willard has educated outstanding women, among them Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Class of 1832, who fought for women’s right to vote alongside Susan B. Anthony. Graduating over 150 years later, Senator Gillibrand demonstrates the impact educated women have in our world. We are proud to have played a role in shaping her values and her interest in service, and we wish her the very best in this exciting new role.
For media inquiries, please contact spokeswoman Christine Hoek at 518-833-1362.
Learn more about Senator Gillibrand from the New York Times and view our ad.
2 Comments
January 23, 2009 at 8:48 pm
This is fabulous news! From Elizabeth Cady Stanton to Kristin Gillibrand–Emma Willard women are such inspirations!
January 24, 2009 at 5:00 pm
Atta girl, Kirsten! I had somehow managed to forget that you were a fellow alumna, yet I thought you seemed like the right choice some months ago when your name was first floated.
We Democrats, members of the EW family and women are all proud of you. In these dark and tumultuous times, Obama’s election, his cabinet choices, and his inaugural words have all given me some cause for hope. But an honorable, intelligent, capable president can do little without an honorable, intelligent and capable Congress. Now we are one senator more honorable, intelligent and capable.
Best wishes to you and your family.
Ellen Cutler, EW ‘69, Aberdeen, MD