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Helen Diane Foster | |
|---|---|
| Member of theNew York City Council from the16th district | |
| In office January 1, 2002 – December 31, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Wendell Foster |
| Succeeded by | Vanessa Gibson |
| Constituency | West Bronx,Morrisania,South Bronx,Highbridge &Melrose |
| Personal details | |
| Born | New York City, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Eric McKay |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence(s) | New York City, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Howard University City University of New York School of Law |
| Committees | Aging; Community Development; Education; Finance; General Welfare; Health; Public Safety; State & Federal Legislation (Chair) |
Helen Diane Foster representedDistrict 16 in theNew York City Council, which comprises the neighborhoods ofMorrisania,Highbridge, andMorris Heights for 11 years. She was the first Black woman to be elected within Bronx County. She served as the commissioner for theNew York State Division of Human Rights from September 2013 until April 2019 and was appointed to the post byGovernor Andrew Cuomo.[1]
Foster holds degrees fromHoward University andCUNY School of Law.
Elected in 2001, she replaced her father, Rev.Wendell Foster, who was forced to retire from the city council due to term limits. With her election she became the first African-American woman to be elected withinBronx County. During her tenure on the city council, Foster served as chairwoman of the Parks & Recreation Committee, and served as a member of the Aging, Education, Health, Lower Manhattan Redevelopment, and Public Safety Committees.
Prior to her election to the council, Foster was anassistant district attorney in theManhattan District Attorney's office, subsequent to which she became an assistant vice-president for legal affairs atSt. Barnabas Hospital.
She serves on the board of trustees for Christ Church.
Foster resides in Bronx County with her husband, Eric McKay, and their two children.[1]
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)| Preceded by | New York City Council,16th district 2002–2013 | Succeeded by |