In 1993, The Honorable Ruth Hassell-Thompson made history when she was elected as the city of Mount Vernon’s first Councilwoman, and again as the first African American Woman Council President and Acting Mayor. In this position, she was Vice chairperson of the Urban Renewal Board; a voting member of the Board of Estimate; Vice chairperson of the Real Estate Board, and Chairperson of the Capital Projects Board. Among her other committee responsibilities was oversight of all Council committees, which included Legislation and Public Works; Human Resources; Finance and Planning; Public Safety and Codes.
Elected to the New York State Senate in 2000, Ms. Ruth Hassell-Thompson brings years of public service and community involvement to her post as the Senator of the 36th Senatorial District, which includes Bronx neighborhoods of Norwood, Bedford Park, Williamsbridge, Co-op City, Wakefield, and Baychester, and the City of Mount Vernon in Westchester County.
Serving for eight terms, Hassell-Thompson was instrumental in the passage of New York’s marriage equality legislation. She also chaired the Crime Victims, Crime and Corrections Committee and was a ranking minority member on the Consumer Protection and Judiciary committees.
Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Friday, April 22, 2016, that Sen. Hassell-Thompson will serve as a Special Advisor for Policy and Community Affairs of State Homes and Community Renewal. Her 36th Senate District runs through the City of Mount Vernon into the Northeast Bronx.
Gov. Cuomo praised Sen. Hassell-Thompson’s experience and track record in and out of office in a statement announcing her appointment.
“As a nurse, an advocate and a member of the New York State Legislature, Senator Hassell-Thompson has spent her entire career fighting to improve lives and build communities,” Cuomo said in a statement. “I am proud to have her continue this work as a member of my administration and look forward to working with her to build a stronger, fairer, and more prosperous New York for all.”
Since Cuomo resigned, Hassell-Thompson, who remained in her post to help New York’s first female elected Governor, Kathy Hochul, advance her affordable housing plan, has also taken a leading role in racial equity and drug policy. In June 2022, she was named a member of the state Cannabis Advisory Board, which will help regulate the marketplace and decide how the state spends its recreational marijuana tax revenue.
In 1963, Hassell-Thompson began working as a pediatric nurse and substance abuse counselor at Montefiore Mount Vernon Hospital in Mount Vernon, New York, where she worked for thirty-six years. Between 1971 and 1980, she worked for the Westchester Community Opportunity Program (WestCOP), serving in a number of positions, including director of an infant daycare center and assistant to the executive director. Then, from 1980 to 1987, Hassell-Thompson served as executive director of the Westchester Minority Contractors Association.
In addition to her political career, Hassell-Thompson served as president and CEO of Whart Development Company, Inc. and The Gathering, a women’s center in Mount Vernon. She also served as a health educator at the Mount Vernon Neighborhood Health Center and as a consultant to Automotive Consultant, Inc. Hassell-Thompson received two honorary degrees from Mercy College and the Eastern Theological Consortium. In 2007, she was appointed by the Akwamu Traditional Council in the Eastern Region of Ghana as their Mpuntuhemaa, or Queenmother for Development. Hassell-Thompson also received the Joseph P. Gavrin Memorial Award.
Excerpt from the book, “Black Westchester Celebrates Black Women Of Westchester,” available on Amazon or email BlackWestchesterMag@gmail.com to purchase your autographed copies.
