44 The Queens Courier • BLACK HISTORY • FEBRUARY 13, 2014 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com black history s HELEN MARSHALL 18th Borough President of Queens Helen Marshall was elected to her first term as Borough President in November 2001 with 68 percent of the vote. She was the 18th Borough President of Queens, serving three terms, the first African American and the second woman to hold the post of highest-ranking elected official in a county with a population of more BROUGHT TO YOU BY EMBLEM HEALTH than 2.2 million residents. Marshall, a lifelong advocate for public libraries, was a founder of the Langston Hughes Library in Corona. She allocated more than $132 million for expansions, additions and new libraries and technological improvements. She also funded cultural programs and institutions with more than $117 million from her discretionary capital budget. The Borough President’s “War Room” meetings with elected and school officials helped to ensure the addition of more than 90,000 new school seats during her tenure. She also invested more than $63 million for the enhancement of CUNY institutions in Queens. In addition to her support for youth programs, Marshall protected programs and services for senior citizens. She was successful in restoring millions of dollars in funding for services for seniors and fought to save a hot meals program that delivers meals to the homebound. She also created the Queens General Assembly, which fosters understanding and crosscultural exchanges among the many ethnic groups found in Queens. The Borough President founded the Immigration Task Force and, established a Task Force on Sexual Abuse and Domestic Violence, which she expanded to include child maltreatment and elder abuse. She also welcomed the LGBT community with her co-sponsorship of the annual Pride Celebration at Borough Hall, a celebration that was first held during her tenure as Borough President. Marshall’s Zoning Task Force played an instrumental role in the rezoning of thousands of blocks that account for almost half of the borough. She supported the Commercial Corridors program, which improves commercial strips with landscaping and increased lighting. Prior to becoming Borough President, Marshall represented the 21st District in the City Council for 10 years. Prior to her election to the City Council, Marshall, a native New Yorker, served five terms, beginning in 1982, in the New York State Assembly, where she chaired the Rules Committee. Early in her career, Marshall was an early childhood teacher for eight years. She left the teaching profession in 1969 to become the first director of the Langston Hughes Library, a post she held for five years. Before becoming an elected official, Marshall was a community activist in her neighborhood of East Elmhurst, advocating for youth programs, libraries, job training programs and economic development. She was a parent activist in the public school system for 15 years and a member of Community Board 3 for 13 years. She was also a founder of the Queens County Overall Economic Development Corporation and was director of the ELMCOR Testing and Placement program for eight years. In 2013, she was honored by ELMCOR for her service to the people of Queens. The tribute included a personal message from U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, a former East Elmhurst resident who thanked Marshall for her contributions to that community. She is a recipient of the President’s Medal from Hunter College, LaGuardia Community College and St. John’s University. She has also been awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Science from the College of Aeronautics. She has been married to Donald Marshall for more than 60 years and has two children, Donald Jr. and Agnes Marie. Marshall is also the proud grandmother of Chandler and Chasen, the children of Donald and Charlena. Celebrating Langston Hughes The Langston Hughes Community Library and Cultural Center presented the 20th annual Langston Hughes Celebration, co-sponsored by former Borough President Helen Marshall and Councilmember Julissa Ferreras THE COURIER/Photos by Mike DiBartolomeo Pianist Inna Leytush, American Soprano Monique McDonald; Tenor Frank L. Humphrey; Classical Singer Cheron Cowan; Emerging Opera Singer Marta Sandoval; Executive Director Langston Hughes Community Library and Cultural Center Andrew P. Jackson (Sekou Molefi Baako). (Inset) Poet David Mills
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