Council Member Shahana Hanif represents New York City’s 39th Council District, which includes parts of Kensington, Borough Park, Windsor Terrace, Park Slope, Gowanus, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, Boerum Hill, and the Columbia Waterfront. She is the first Bangladeshi and Muslim woman elected to the New York City Council and the first woman to represent the 39th District.
Born and raised in the 39th District to Bangladeshi immigrant parents, Council Member Hanif has dedicated her career to advocating for working-class families and advancing a city built on care, equity, and safety. Her personal battle with Lupus, diagnosed at age 17, and her experiences with the challenging healthcare system and City services, inspired her commitment to public service. During her first term, she successfully led the passage of a resolution designating May as Lupus Awareness Month in NYC.
Before her election, Council Member Hanif served as the Director of Organizing and Community Engagement in the office of former District 39 Council Member Brad Lander. There, she spearheaded Participatory Budgeting, an initiative that empowers New Yorkers to have a say in how City funds are allocated in their neighborhoods. She continues to champion Participatory Budgeting to enhance civic engagement and strengthen local democracy.
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Committees
- Committee on Mental Health, Disabilities, and Addiction
- Committee on Criminal Justice
- Taskforce to Combat Hate (Co-Chair)
- Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries, and International Intergroup Relations
- Committee on Education
- Committee on Governmental Operations, State & Federal Legislation
- Committee on Immigration