New York’s first female governor dedicated her life to combatting domestic and sexual violence against women.
Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul will assume the role of New York’s first female governor following the resignation of Governor Andrew Cuomo. Cuomo faced accusations of sexual harassment from 11 women, allegations he has denied. Within the next two weeks, Mrs. Hochul will make history as New York’s first female governor, leading America’s fourth-largest state.
Who is Cathy Hockle?
Kathy Hochul, 62, described by her predecessors as a “smart and capable” individual, is a Democrat. She previously held the ex officio position of Lieutenant Governor and hails from Buffalo, New York. Hochul joined the Governor’s team as Lieutenant Governor in 2014.
Mrs. Hochul comes from a family of blacksmiths, and her grandfather sought refuge from poverty in Ireland, looking for opportunities in New York, a place she later made her home.
Cathy Hochul, one of six siblings, earned her undergraduate degree from Syracuse University and her law degree from the Catholic University of America. She served as an aide on Capitol Hill before being elected as a member of Congress.
Mrs. Hochul has dedicated her life to fighting against domestic and sexual violence against women. She took a prominent role in Governor Cuomo’s ‘Enough is Enough’ campaign, targeting sexual assault on college campuses. In 2006, alongside her mother and aunt, she established a center named ‘Kathleen Mary House’ to support women who have endured domestic violence.
Kathy Hochul sparked controversy in 2008 when then-Governor Eliot Spitzer proposed issuing driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants. At that time, Hochul, serving as the Erie County Clerk, strongly opposed the governor’s decision. However, ten years later, she changed her stance, stating that “Now is a completely new era.”
Last week, Mrs. Hochul also joined other politicians in criticizing Andrew Cuomo. She stated that the governor’s decision to resign was the right one.
An independent investigation conducted by the New York Attorney General’s Office revealed that Governor Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women. These women accused him of “making sexual comments, touching them inappropriately, and kissing them without their consent.”
Governor Cuomo has denied the allegations, expressing his apologies to the women who were hurt by his behavior.