BY JASON COHEN
Former Assemblywoman
Aurelia Greene, who is widely
considered a role model and
a trailblazer for her four-decades
long career in public
service to the Bronx, sadly
passed away on May 8 at the
age of 86.
Greene represented the
77th District in the state houses’s
lower chamber between
1982 and 2009, and served as
deputy borough president from
2009 to 2017 when she retired.
The longtime pol also
worked as the Female Democratic
District Leader for
the 76th Assembly District,
atop her long career as an active
south Bronx civic leader.
Among her many distinctions,
she was the first woman
of color to serve as the Speaker
Pro Tempore.
During her 27-year Assembly
career, she used her urban
planning skills to negotiate
for affordable housing and effective
tenant groups, quality
education, employment opportunities,
affordable healthcare
and housing, senior services,
youth services, economic development
and worked diligently
for a fortified business
community.
She was married to the late
Rev. Jerome A. Greene and
is survived by two children,
Rhonda and Russell and five
grand-kids.
Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson
took to social media to share
a tribute to the late legislator.
“Forever in our hearts
you will remain! My Political
Mother and Mentor, my Queen,
the one who gave me so much
in my career,” Gibson wrote. “I
will always continue to carry
out your legacy. I love you
with all of my heart. Rest well
in God’s Kingdom. You have
earned your wings!”
Gibson, who succeeded
Greene in the assembly, spoke
about the departed. The lawmaker
started her career in
public service by serving as
her intern in the New York
State Assembly while a student
at the University at Albany
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“Mrs. Greene was my political
mentor and a second
mother to me and many others
in the Bronx,” Gibson
stated. “Mrs. Greene was
committed, compassionate,
caring, consistent, and most
importantly, a woman of
faith. She was a role model
that exemplified what it
meant to be a public servant
and empowered youth
to follow in her footsteps.
Mrs. Greene truly meant the
world to me and to so many
others whose lives have
been impacted by her over 40
years in public service as a
parent leader, a community
leader, an Assemblywoman,
and Deputy Borough President.
Her advocacy was instrumental
in building the
New Settlement school and
community center on Jerome
Avenue, the opening of
P.S. 126 in Highbridge and so
Former Assemblywoman Aurelia Greene with BP Ruben Diaz.
many other successes in our
district.”
Assemblywoman Nathalia
Fernandez expressed her condolences
as well.
“I am deeply saddened to
hear of the passing of Aurelia
Greene, a trailblazer for
women of color,” Fernandez
said. “As the first woman to
lead the State Assembly’s
Committee on Banks, Ms.
Greene was a pioneer and an
File photo
inspiration to young women
like myself who aspired to be
a leader in a realm so heavily
influenced by men. The happiness
of her constituency was
her life’s work, and for over
30 years, she remained dedicated
to improving the quality
of life for every Bronxite.
Her service will be remembered
with great honor and
respect. May she rest easy in
grace and love.”
“Forever in our hearts”
Former Longtime Assemblywoman Aurelia
Greene passes away
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