Hon. Michaelle C. Solages, a fourth-term New York State Assemblymember, is a lifelong resident of Long Island, New York. She was elected to represent the 22nd Assembly in November of 2012. Michaelle currently serves as Chair of the Assembly Task Force on Farm, Food and Nutrition Policy as well as First-Vice Chair to The New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus.

Assemblywoman Solages is nationally recognized as a leading advocate for establishing innovative ways to support families with young children across the age spectrum from birth and into early grades. She successfully enacted legislation that provided equal access to donor breast milk for critically ill preterm babies.

As a member of a National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Prenatal-to-Three (PN-3) Legislative Advisory Group, Michaelle joined a bipartisan group of legislators, legislative staff, researchers and NCSL staff to create a framework for specific roles and policy options for legislators across the country to consider when advancing prenatal-to-three legislation. Her appointment came as a result of her belief that the highest rate of return in early childhood development comes from investing as early as possible, from birth through age five.

As the first person of Haitian descent to be elected into the New York State Legislature, Michaelle has used her voice to champion issues facing new Americans. Due to her advocacy, she served as Chair for the Task Force on New Americans.

In her time in the legislature, Michaelle has been honored with numerous awards including: LIPC’s Long Islander Who Has Made a Difference Award, Recognition of Outstanding Public Service to the Dedication of Elmont and Surrounding Communities Award, The New York Library Association Senator Hugh Farley Outstanding Advocate for Libraries Award and The New York City Breastfeeding Council’s 2017 Breastfeeding Champion Award.

Before serving in the New York State Assembly, Michaelle earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Hofstra University’s Education, Health, and Human Services. Dedicated to giving back to her community, she remained at Hofstra University serving as supervisor of access services in the Axinn Library. In her endeavor to empower students through printed and electronic material, she has played a major role in the modernization of the library’s resources.

Michaelle resides in her hometown of Elmont with her husband, two children, and her dog.