Council Member Annabel Palma has dedicated herself to fighting for the causes of workers' rights and social justice and is committed to fighting for improvement and change in the community she's lived in her entire life. She was elected in the fall of 2003 to represent the people of the 18th Council District.

In 1991, as a single mother struggling to provide the best for her son, she received her CNA certification from Bronx Community College. At St. Vincent De Paul Senior Residence, she became a practicing CNA and because of her leadership skills was elected union representative in 1994. She later earned a degree in Business Administration from Monroe College. In 1999 she was asked to join the staff at 1199SEIU as a full time organizer, where she trained thousands of union members on health and safety issues.

Palma's one and only promise throughout her campaign was that of organizing her community, and in just two years she has successfully applied her organizing experience to a unique method of empowering people on a wide range of issues. Since 2003, she has succeeded in providing the people of her district with the voice they need to fight for quality education, safer schools, better jobs, affordable housing, a cleaner environment, and increased access to health care. Whether it's empowering tenants with the tools to organize tenant associations, or organizing coalitions of parent associations to speak out against systemic problems related to school safety, her vision and drive for uniting people to stand up for what they believe in has brought about significant improvement to the lives of people in her district.

In the Council, Palma has fought to ensure that our senior centers and after school programs continue to grow while providing resources to improve our libraries, community centers, and schools. Palma serves as Chair of the Subcommittee on Drug Abuse and is proud to be a member of the Black, Latino and Asian Caucus. She currently resides in the Parkchester area with her 16-year-old son, Jonathan, who is currently a junior at Wings Academy in the Bronx.

Entered City Council: 01/01/2004
Current Term Expires: 12/31/2009

Represents: Parkchester, Soundview, Castle Hill, Classon Point, Harding Park

Committees: Drug Abuse (Chair); Economic Development; General Welfare; Immigration; Land Use; Landmarks, Public Siting & Maritime Uses; Mental Health, Mental Retardation, Alcoholism, Drug Abuse & Disability Services; Small Business