County Executive Robert P. Astorino on Wednesday announced that Sonia Chinn has been named to the Human Rights Commission, the first Muslim to be appointed to the commission since it was established in 1999.
"Westchester is a diverse community where discrimination is not tolerated and dignity and respect for all is a basic human right," said Astorino.
"Sonia is dedicated to these principles and will defend them as our newest member of the Human Rights Commission team."
Chinn, who teaches social studies at the Andalusia School in Yonkers, earned her graduate degree from Harvard University and is currently pursuing a doctorate at Columbia University. She is fluent in Russian. A lifelong advocate for social justice, Chinn worked with the Cultural Survival Organization in South America and Russia to help indigenous people defend their lands, languages and cultures.
"I feel honored to be the first Muslim appointed to the Human Rights Commission," said Chinn. "I look forward to reaching out not only to the Muslim community but to all communities in Westchester to educate and advance equality and justice. When you promote human rights education, you prevent human rights violations."
Chinn will sit as one of 15 members of the county's Human Rights Commission. Among other responsibilities, she will review cases involving allegations of discrimination and attend a monthly meeting of the commission.
The commission is charged with enforcement of Westchester County's Human Rights Law and Fair Housing Law. It conducts education and outreach to inform the community of its rights and obligations under the county's discrimination laws and promotes the furtherance of human rights in employment, housing, public accommodation, schools, credit and any other area.
Earlier this year, the county entered into a shared services agreement with the City of Yonkers, under which the Human Rights Commission maintains a satellite office at Yonkers City Hall. This is an arrangement that is projected to save the city more than $150,000 annually.