Arlene Stringer-Cuevas

Arlene Stringer-Cuevas
Member of the New York City Council from the 6th district
In office 1976–1977
Preceded by	David B. Friedland
Succeeded by	Stanley Michels
Personal details
Born	Arlene Gluss (1933-09-25)September 25, 1933 The Bronx, U.S.
Died	April 3, 2020(2020-04-03) (aged 86) The Bronx, New York City, U.S.
Political party	Democratic Party
Spouse(s)	Ronald Stringer Carlos Cuevas
Children	2, including Scott Stringer
Relatives	Bella Abzug (cousin)

Arlene Stringer-Cuevas (née Gluss; September 25, 1933 – April 3, 2020) was an American politician, educator, and civil servant. She was a schoolteacher before serving on the New York City Council from 1976 to 1977. Stringer-Cuevas later worked for the New York City Human Resources Administration for 16 years until her retirement in 1994. She died during the COVID-19 pandemic due to complications of COVID-19.

Early life

Stringer-Cuevas was born Arlene Gluss in the Bronx, and was a school teacher. She lived in the Washington Heights, Manhattan. She was Jewish.[1]

Career

Stringer-Cuevas served as her neighborhood's Democratic Party district leader from 1969 to 1976.[2] She was elected to the New York City Council in 1976 after winning a four-person primary for the Democratic nomination,[3] becoming the first woman to represent Washington Heights. Stringer-Cuevas was defeated in the Democratic primary in 1977.[4]

Stringer-Cuevas then worked for the New York City Human Resources Administration from 1978 until her retirement in 1994.[5]

Personal life

Stringer-Cuevas was part of a politically active family. Her first husband, Ronald Stringer, was an assistant to New York City Mayor Abraham Beame.[6] Her second husband, Carlos Cuevas, was the New York City Clerk and a Deputy Borough President of the Bronx.[7] Stringer-Cuevas' son Scott Stringer was elected Borough President of Manhattan and New York City Comptroller. She was the cousin of politician women's rights pioneer Bella Abzug.[8]

On April 3, 2020, at the age of 86, Stringer-Cuevas died from complications due to COVID-19 at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx.[5]

References

1. "NYC Comptroller Candidate Scott Stringer Enjoys Celebrity Support". The Jewish Voice. August 21, 2013. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
2. Fowler, Glenn (September 12, 1976). "4-Way Democratic Council Battle Stirring Interest in Sixth District". New York Times. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
3. "Mrs. Stringer Beats 3 Rivals In a Manhattan Council Race". New York Times. September 15, 1976. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
4. Fowler, Glenn (November 9, 1977). "Council Gets New Look: More Women and Minorities". New York Times. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
5. Calder, Rich (April 3, 2020). "Comptroller Scott Stringer's mom dead from coronavirus". New York Post. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
6. Lynn, Frank (July 1, 1976). "West Side Democrats Are Again Ensnarled in Political Wars Over Nominations". New York Times. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
7. Coltin, Jeff (July 15, 2019). "Scott Stringer, millennial for mayor". City and State NY. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
8. "Mrs. Abzug Wins Party Approval to Succeed Ryan". New York Times. October 2, 1972. Retrieved April 5, 2020.

External links

• 2015 interview by the New York Public Library Community Oral History Project - This file is made available under the Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication.