Helen Marshall made history in 2001 when she became the first black Queens Borough President.

By Angela Montefinise

ver the past century, the borough’s diversity has been reflected in the political leaders who have been elected to represent the ever-changing population of Queens.
The following is a list of some cultural “firsts” that the borough has seen in the political arena over the past 100 years. Borough historian Jeff Gottlieb helped compile the list, although he admitted, “Going back, it gets difficult. There just aren’t records.”

First German Queens Borough President:
Frederick Bowley, 1898

First Irish Queens Borough President:
Joseph Cassidy, 1902

First Italian Queens Borough President:
Joseph Mafera, 1951

First Jewish Queens Borough President:
Sidney Leviss, 1969

First Black Queens Borough President:
Helen Marshall 2001

First Black City Councilman From Queens:
Archie Spigner, 1974

First Asian Elected To Any Office In New York City:
City Councilman John Liu, 2001

First Hispanic Elected To The New York City Council From Queens:
Hiram Monserrate, 2001

First Hispanic Elected To The State Legislature From Queens:
State Assemblyman Jose Peralta, 2002

First Black New York State Senator From Queens:
Andrew Jenkins, 1983

First Black New York State Assemblyman From Queens:
Kenneth Browne, 1964

First Greek Elected To Public Office From Queens:
State Assemblyman Mike Gianaris, 2000

First Black Member of Congress From Queens:
Congressman Alton Walden, Jr., 1986

First Jewish Mayor Of New York City:
Abe Beame, of Queens, 1974

Governor Mario Cuomo was the first Italian from Queens to hold that office.

First Italian Governor From Queens:
Mario Cuomo, 1982

First South Asian Queens District Leader:
Uma Sengupta, 2001

First Black Woman Judge In The United States:
Jane Bolin, of Queens, 1939