6 ▶The QUEE NS Courier • CLAIRE SHULMAN • MARCH 17, 2016 for breaking news visit www.qns.com CLAIRE SHULMAN ▶while becoming involved in local schools in northeast Queens. She would become chairperson of the Bayside Beautification Council and was a charter member of the Bayside Historical Society, an organization dedicated to preserving the neighborhood’s rich history. In 1966, Shulman became the chairperson of Community Planning Board 11, the advisory body focused on land use and other issues in the communities of Bayside, Bay Terrace, Bellerose, Douglaston, Glen Oaks and Little Neck. Six years later, she moved on to the Borough President’s office, where she would serve from 1972 and 1980 as director of Queens Community Boards. In that capacity, Shulman served as the borough president’s chief adviser on matters related to the community boards, including the screening of candidates for the advisory bodies. Shulman rose even higher in the Borough President’s office in 1980, when then-Borough President Donald Manes named her deputy borough president. Six years later, however, Manes would resign the office amid a scandal that ultimately resulted in him taking his own life. Following Manes’ resignation, the Queens City Council Delegation selected Shulman as Manes’ replacement, a selection which the City Council confirmed unanimously. Shulman was sworn into office on January 8, 1987, making her the first female borough president in Queens history. “All of us have a stock in the future, and government plays an important role in building the future,” Shulman said at the time. “Indeed, I realized many years ago that if I really wanted to influence some of the important decisions that affect our lives, getting involved in government was one way to do it.” As it turned out, Shulman would be one of the most active borough presidents in the city’s history. During her years as borough president, Shulman worked to secure more city and state funding for Queens while addressing issues like over- (continued from cover) Borough President Shulman takes a swing during a stickball game at Queens Borough Hall. Claire Shulman presents new Mayor (and avid Yankee fan) Rudy Giuliani with a Mets cap in 1993. Claire’s still hard at work improving Queens as CEO of the Flushing Corona Willets Point Local Development Corporation. (continued on page 10)
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