Council Member Helen Diane Foster was born and raised in The Bronx. Her parents are former Council Member Rev. Wendell Foster and Mrs. Helen Foster, a retired principal. She is the younger sister of Ms. Rebekah Foster, President & CEO of Ujima Sound Productions.

Foster attended Hyde School in Bath Maine, Howard University in Washington, D.C. and City University of New York School of Law (CUNY-Law School). While attending law school, she participated in an international exchange program at the University of Havana. She also served as a summer associate at the Atlanta Legal Aid Offices.

Upon graduating from CUNY-Law School, Foster worked as an Assistant District Attorney in the Manhattan District Attorney's Office. She later moved into the private sector as an Assistant Vice President for Legal Affairs at St. Barnabas Hospital.

Foster was the first African American woman elected to a New York City Office from Bronx County in November of 2001. She was elected Co-Chair of the Council's Black, Latino and Asian Caucus.

Foster serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of Christ Church and is also a member of the nation's oldest Black sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Tau Omega Chapter, Harlem, New York. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is a social service organization involved in civic community and political affairs throughout the country and the world.

Entered City Council: 01/01/2002
Current Term Expires: 12/31/2009

Represents: West Bronx, Morrisania, South Bronx, Highbridge, Melrose

Committees: Parks & Recreation (Chair); Aging; Education; General Welfare; Health; Lower Manhattan Redevelopment; Public Safety