Councilmember Helen Diane Foster was elected to the New York City Council in November 2001.  When elected she was the first African American woman elected to a city office from Bronx County.  Councilmember Foster represents the 16th District which is one of poorest council districts in the city that compromises Highbridge, Morrisania, and Melrose. Councilmember Foster was re-elected in 2005 with 98% of the vote.

Councilmember Foster is not a “yes, sir” type of elected official.  She has taken some courageous stands in the City Council like voting against the New Yankee Stadium and water filtration plant.  Those stands were taken because Councilmember Foster felt the needs of developers were valued above the needs of the community. Nonetheless, she has worked to make sure that the promises made by those developers to the community are met. She is often called upon to speak at churches, schools and community events.  She uses her role as council member to empower communities and encourage youth through access to information.

Councilmember Foster is the Chairperson for the New York City Council Committee on Parks & Recreation.  She also serves on the New York City Council Committees on Aging; Education; Health; Community Development and Public Safety.  She is the former Co-chair of the Black, Latino and Asian Caucus of the New York City Council and current Co-chair of the Women’s Caucus of the New York City Council

Councilmember Foster attended Hyde School in Bath, Maine, Howard University in Washington D. C. and City University of New York School of Law (CUNY).  While attending law school, Councilmember Foster participated in an international exchange program at the University of Havana.  She served as a summer associate at the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office and Atlanta Legal Aid Office.

Upon graduating from CUNY, Councilmember Foster worked as an Assistant District Attorney in the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.  She eventually moved into the private sector where she served as an Assistant Vice President for Legal Affairs at St. Barnabas Hospital for a number of years.

Councilmember Foster was born and raised in Bronx County.  Her parents are former Councilmember Rev. Wendell Foster and Mrs. Helen Foster, a retired elementary school principal.  She is the sister of Ms. Rebekah Foster, President & CEO of Ujima Sound Productions. Councilmember 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.  She is married to Eric McKay, a writer and film maker, and has a 12 year old step daughter, Aminah McKay.

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