Toby Ann Stavisky

Stavisky was born and raised on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. She attended New York City public schools before graduating from Bronx High School of Science. She attended the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University on an academic scholarship, graduating in 1960.{{cite news |last1=Ruddy |first1=Cort |title=New York State Legislature Adopts Resolution Celebrating Maxwell’s Centennial |url=https://news.syr.edu/blog/2024/05/01/new-york-state-legislature-adopts-resolution-celebrating-maxwells-centennial/ |access-date=1 May 2024 |work=Syracuse University News |date=1 May 2024}} The Senator completed graduate courses at Hunter College and Queens College.{{cite web | url=https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/toby-ann-stavisky/senator-toby-ann-stavisky-chair-senate-higher-education | title=Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, Chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee, Honored as "Friend of CUNY" | date=11 December 2020 }}

After working in the actuarial department of a major insurance company, Stavisky taught Social Studies in the New York City high schools.{{Cite web|url=http://www.uft.org/noteworthy-grads/noteworthy-graduates-state-sen-toby-ann-stavisky|title=Noteworthy graduates: State Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky|website=UFT|language=en|access-date=2019-01-30}} She served as District Manager in Northeast Queens for the Census, where she directed more than 1,000 field and office staff and was cited by the Commerce Department for her outstanding work.{{Cite web|url=http://www.qgazette.com/news/2012-09-12/Front_Page/Senator_Toby_Ann_Stavisky_Supporters_And_Elected_O.html|title=Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, Supporters And Elected Officials, Rally To Get Out The Vote Thursday {{!}} www.qgazette.com {{!}} Queens Gazette|website=www.qgazette.com|access-date=2019-01-30}}

Stavisky was married to Dr. Leonard P. Stavisky (1925–1999), a member of the New York State Assembly from 1966 to 1983, and of the New York State Senate from 1983 until his death in 1999. Her son, Evan M. Stavisky, is a political consultant as well as a local district leader.

Upon the death of her husband in 1999, Stavisky ran and easily won the special election to succeed him.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=100155|title=Our Campaigns - NY State Senate 16 Special Race - Nov 02, 1999|website=www.ourcampaigns.com|access-date=2019-01-30}} She is the first woman from Queens County elected to the State Senate.{{Cite web|url=https://qns.com/story/2016/05/02/queens-first-female-state-senator-stavisky-is-going-for-her-ninth-term-in-office/|title=Queens' first female state senator, Toby Stavisky, is going for her ninth term in office|website=QNS.com|language=en-US|access-date=2019-01-30}} When she first won election, the district was predominantly Jewish, but has shifted drastically over the past two decades to become majority Asian American.{{Cite web|url=https://observer.com/2012/04/stavisky-running-for-reelection-in-asian-majority-state-senate-district/|title=Stavisky Running for Reelection in Asian-Majority State Senate District|date=2012-04-26|website=Observer|language=en|access-date=2019-01-30}} As such, Stavisky has faced primaries in recent years against Asian-American candidates, but has been successful in each challenge.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=822964|title=Our Campaigns - NY State Senate 16 - D Primary Race - Sep 13, 2016|website=www.ourcampaigns.com|access-date=2019-01-30}}

From 2003 to 2008, Stavisky served as Assistant Minority Whip and Ranking Minority Member of the Committee on Higher Education. She currently serves as the Chairwoman of the Committee on Higher Education.{{Cite web|url=http://www.qgazette.com/news/2018-12-26/Political_Page/Stavisky_Appointed_Chair_Of_Senate_Higher_Educatio.html|title=Stavisky Appointed Chair Of Senate Higher Education Committee {{!}} www.qgazette.com {{!}} Queens Gazette|website=www.qgazette.com|access-date=2019-01-30}} In 2013, Stavisky was appointed to the subcommittee on New York City Education.

In 2022, Stavisky sponsored a bill that would give state health insurance coverage to unauthorized immigrants.{{Cite web |last=Mastrosimone |first=Peter |date=March 10, 2022 |title=Advocates press for migrant healthcare |url=https://www.qchron.com/editions/queenswide/advocates-press-for-migrant-healthcare/article_2757ad72-60a2-580d-8951-612cd323e4cf.html}}

Stavisky has claimed that New York's bail reform laws have had no clear impact on the increase in crime.{{Cite web |last=Krichevsky |first=Sophie |title=A new Senate district? No sweat for Stavisky |url=https://www.qchron.com/editions/queenswide/a-new-senate-district-no-sweat-for-stavisky/article_d1201ad1-1cbb-5538-9b51-1c3be24cff7c.html |access-date=2022-11-02 |website=Queens Chronicle |date=27 October 2022 |language=en}}

In 2023,{{cite web | url=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/decision-2022/what-district-am-i-in-for-new-yorks-2022-primary-election/3835348/ | title=What District Am I in for New York's 2022 Primary Election? | date=23 August 2022 }} Stavisky's Senate district changed from the 16th to the 11th.{{cite web | url=https://gothamist.com/news/after-redistricting-shuffle-queens-senators-stake-out-their-turf | title=After redistricting shuffle, Queens senators stake out their turf | date=30 May 2022 }}

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Category:Living people

Category:Democratic Party New York (state) state senators

Category:People from Whitestone, Queens

Category:Women state legislators in New York (state)

Category:Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs alumni

Category:Hunter College alumni

Category:21st-century American women politicians

Category:People from the Upper West Side

Category:The Bronx High School of Science alumni

Category:20th-century American women politicians

Category:1939 births

Category:21st-century members of the New York State Legislature

Category:20th-century members of the New York State Legislature