She has been a respected and distinguished advocate on behalf of women, children and families.

As First Lady of New York State (1983-1995) she diligently worked as a volunteer with state and elected officials and community leaders, to establish programs to prevent child abuse, strengthen families, promote adoptions for foster care children and prevent school drop out.

Mrs. Cuomo has been described as the most active First Lady in New York State’s history.In

1987, to prevent school drop out, Mrs. Cuomo established the New York State Mentoring Program, the nation’s first state-wide school-based- one-to-one mentoring program. In

1995, she established Mentoring USA, to continue support for the New York State Mentoring Programs. Mentoring

USA has expanded to five states and Mentoring USA Italia established in Italy provides mentors for over 600 children. ^[1]