ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Democratic gubernatorial candidate Cynthia Nixon introduced herself to Rochester voters on Thursday.

During an Upstate swing, the actress turned politician made a speech and met with reporters at the 1872 Cafe.

She appealed to women voters during her speech at the site where activist Susan B. Anthony cast her illegal vote nearly 150 years ago.

Nixon is vying to be the first woman elected governor of New York State.

She made the point that despite all of the history here, many things still have not changed.

The Democrat says she's focusing on issues that affect all people, like poverty, segregated schools and protecting immigrants.

Nixon says they are certainly issues that affect women and that women can address.

"The number one reason we need women to be involved like never before in America's political process is that our voices have been virtually absent for so long or have been so silenced as to have been virtually absent," said Nixon.

Nixon has been cast as a bit of a New York City candidate so far but says she's aware of the problems facing cities like Rochester.

She says one of the biggest issues is economic development reform that helps people that really need it.