Assemblywoman Vivian E. Cook was born in Rock Hill, South Carolina on May 23rd to the late Eva Phillips and the late McDonald Eaves. Cook graduated from the Defrans Business Institute and entered the business world. Her civic role began more than thirty years ago when the Kennedy Airport and airfreight expansion threatened her community. For the past 17 years, Mrs. Cook has served as District Leader, Queens County and has strived to improve her community as an advocate for education, economic development, housing, youth, the aging, and the battle against drug abuse. Her organizational efforts on behalf of young people have provided them with a myriad of programs including the Basley Park Gardens Youth Program, the Rockaway Boulevard Merchants Association, and the Rockaway Boulevard Local Development Corporation.
Cook, an activist for community improvement, secured funding for various building and reconstruction projects. Her efforts helped in building a park at the Baisley Park Extension/150th Street and in rebuilding the Charles R. Drew Memorial Park, 140th Street Park, Rochdale Parks and the tennis courts and recreation building also located at this site. She has helped develop community housing programs which provide residents with affordable homes. She has also obtained improved benefits, housing, and medical services for senior citizens.
Assemblywoman Cook is the Chairwoman of the Queens County Democratic Committee, member of the Democratic National Committee and Queens County Executive Committee. She is founder and executive member of the Allied Regular Democratic Club, Inc., and founder and chairperson of the Board of Directors, South Ozone Park Women's Association. In 1988 and 1992, she served as Delegate for the Delegate for the Democratic National Convention.
Some of the numerous awards she has received in light of her achievements include: Sojourner Truth Award-National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Club, Inc.; Rockaway Boulevard Senior Citizens Golden Kiwanis Community Service; 113th Precinct Senior Citizens Award; 103rd and 113th Precinct Community Service Award; Friends of Arts Award; New York State Assembly and Senate Award; Sutphin Boulevard Civic Association Award; South Ozone Park Women's Club Award; Citizens for Jenkins Commu nity Service Award; City of New York 10-Year Community Board Service Award; Neighborhood Council Award for Community Service; Springfield Gardens Mother's Day Award; N.Y.S. Martin Luther King, Jr. Institute and Commission Service & Leadership Award; P .E.F. Political Action Committee Award; New Jerusalem Eastern Star Award; J-Cap Award; Rochdale Village Little League Award, Forestdale Foster Care Educational Award; Military Women of NYC Award; Neighborhood Housing Services of Jamaica Award; South Jamai ca Houses Award; Partner in Education Award; Square Deal Civic Association Award; Queens EOC Award; Kew Gardens Civic Association Award; Jamaica Service Program for Older Adults Award of Appreciation; Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Finer Womanhood Week Award; Kiw anis Club of Rochdale Village Woman's Month Award. Mrs. Cook began her tenure during the 1991-92 Legislative Session and is currently a member of six committees: Alcoholism and Drug Abuse; Corporations, Authorities and Commissions; Economic Development, Job Creation, Commerce & Industry; Housing; Insurance; and Majority Steering. Assemblywoman Cook was recently appointed Secretary to the Majority Conference. She is also a member of the NYS Assembly Task Force on Criminal Justice, Legislative Women's Caucus, and Treasurer to the NYS Black and Puerto Rican Legislative Caucus.
Assemblywoman Cook resides in South Ozone Park, Queens County, new York with her husband, John. She has a son, Reginald, and a grandson, Reginald D.
