Attorney General Letitia James said she was saddened to learn of Greene’s passing. “For decades, Assemblymember Greene dedicated her life to serving the Bronx, New York City, and our state, where she fought to lift New Yorkers up and reverse so many of the inequalities in our system. She was a trailblazer who will be sorely missed,” she said. “I offer my deepest condolences to her family and loved ones.”

 

Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernández, who represents the 80th Assembly District, said she was deeply saddened to hear of Greene’s passing, describing her as a trailblazer for women of color. “As the first woman to lead the State Assembly’s Committee on Banks, Ms. Greene was a pioneer and an inspiration to young women like myself who aspired to be a leader in a realm so heavily influenced by men,” she said. “The happiness of her constituency was her life’s work, and for over 30 years, she remained dedicated to improving the quality of life for every Bronxite. Her service will be remembered with great honor and respect. May she rest easy in grace and love.”

 

District 16 City Council Member, Vanessa Gibson, who succeeded Greene in 2009 at the New York State Assembly and who is currently running for the position of Bronx borough president, said she was also deeply saddened to hear of Greene’s passing.

 

“It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that I issue this statement on the passing of our beloved former deputy borough president and former assemblywoman, the Honorable Aurelia Greene, who passed away surrounded by her family on Saturday, May 8th,” she said. “Mrs. Greene was my political mentor and a second mother to me and many others in the Bronx. She was someone that dedicated her life to serving our borough and was a trailblazer in Bronx politics.”

 

Gibson said she had the honor and privilege to get her start in public service by serving as Greene’s intern in the New York State Assembly while she was a student at the University at Albany. “This internship would lead to a lifelong career in public service when Mrs. Greene hired me to join her staff, and I would later succeed her in the New York State Assembly. I am forever grateful to Ms. Greene for the opportunity to work for her and be under her leadership,” the councilwoman said.

 

She described Greene as committed, compassionate, caring, consistent, and a woman of faith. “She was a role model that exemplified what it meant to be a public servant and empowered youth to follow in her footsteps,” Gibson added. “Mrs. Greene truly meant the world to me and to so many others whose lives have been impacted by her over 40 years in public service as a parent leader, a community leader, an assemblywoman, and deputy borough president.”

 

Gibson said Greene’s advocacy was instrumental in building the New Settlement school and community center on Jerome Avenue, the opening of P.S. 126 in Highbridge, and other successes in that district.”We are so thankful to have been touched by the life of Aurelia Greene. She was an exceptional and phenomenal woman of God. On behalf of the 16th Council District, we send our condolences and prayers of healing, comfort, and strength to her children, Rhonda and Russell, grandchildren, loved ones, friends, and neighbors,” she continued. “The life and legacy of Aurelia Greene will live on forever in our hearts. May God rest her soul on a job well done.”

 

 

Assemblyman Victor Pichardo, who represents the Bronx Assembly District 86, said he was also deeply saddened by news of Greene’s death. “Not only was she a friend and mentor who paved the way for many young electeds of color across our borough, but she was also a champion for her fellow Bronxites and neighbors in her over thirty years of public service, both serving the 77th Assembly District and later as a deputy borough president,” he said.

 

“We will continue her work every day in the New York State Assembly, and will miss her. My thoughts are with the family, friends, and loved ones of former deputy borough president and Assemblywoman Greene during their time of mourning.”