Adrienne was born into a working-class family. Her father was a plumber; her mother worked as a manager for the Department of Motor Vehicles in Jamaica, Queens. Her upbringing catalyzed her desire to make sure all working people have a voice in government.

After earning a BA and a Master’s in Education from Queens College, Adrienne taught in the NYC school system for more than 25 years. She was  President of the NYC chapter of the New York State Theater Education Association and a chapter leader of the United Federation of Teachers.

In 2009, upon retiring, Adrienne settled in Shawangunk and immediately entrenched herself as an active member of the community. Adrienne is the proud mother of two sons and the adoring grandmother of two grandchildren and two grand-dogs—for whom she babysits as often as she can.