Preceded by Wendell Foster Role Politician Spouse Eric McKay | Political party Democratic Party Party Democratic Party Name Helen Foster | |
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Constituency West Bronx, Morrisania, South Bronx, Highbridge & Melrose 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) Education CUNY School of Law, Howard University | ||
Succeeded by Vanessa Gibson (elect) | ||
Helen Dianne Foster represented District 16 in the New York City Council, which comprises the neighborhoods of Morrisania, Highbridge, and Morris Heights.
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 within Bronx County. She currently serves as chairwoman of the Parks & Recreation Committee, and serves as a member of the Aging, Education, Health, Lower Manhattan Redevelopment, and Public Safety Committees.
Prior to her election to the Council Foster was an Assistant District Attorney in the Manhattan District Attorney's office, subsequent to which she became an Assistant Vice-President for legal affairs at St. Barnabas Hospital.
Foster holds degrees from both Howard University and CUNY School of Law, and serves on the Board of Trustees for Christ Church.
Controversial remarks
In the wake of the murder of Sean Bell, Foster made a series of comments that criticized the NYPD, declaring that the shooting itself was an illustration of racism within the city's police department.