Aravella Simotas
| Aravella Simotas | |
|---|---|
Simotas in 2012
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| Member of the New York State Assembly from the 36th district |
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Assumed office January 1, 2011 |
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| Preceded by | Michael N. Gianaris |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
October 9, 1978 Rhodesia |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | John Katsanos |
| Residence | Astoria, Queens, New York |
| Alma mater |
Fordham University Fordham Law School |
| Profession | lawyer, politician |
| Website | Official website |
Aravella Simotas (born October 9, 1978) is an American politician and a member of the Democratic Party, who currently represents parts of western Queens, including Astoria and parts of Long Island City in the New York State Assembly. She is the first woman elected to office from her district, and is the first Greek-American woman elected to office in New York.
Simotas was born in Zimbabwe. She immigrated to the United States from Greece and settled in Astoria with her parents and brother when she was an infant. She graduated from P.S. 17, Junior H.S. 126, and William C. Bryant High School.
She received a Bachelor of Arts degree (summa cum laude) from Fordham University in 1999, followed by a law degree from the Fordham University School of Law in 2002. During law school, she was the managing editor at the Fordham Environmental Law Journal. She first gained notice as the moderator at a Law Journal panel about citing electric generators in New York City under New York energy law.
Simotas began her career in public service as a district representative for Speaker of the New York City Council, Peter Vallone, Sr. and later for New York City Council member Peter Vallone, Jr. While at law school, she also worked at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, where she developed a passion for environmental advocacy.
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