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BOROUGH PRESIDENT WELCOMES YVETTE JARVIS TO BOROUGH HALL

Photograph by Kathryn Kirk
	In photo: left to right - Borough President Markowitz, Councilwoman Jarvis and her son, John

Only in Brooklyn . . a girl from Red Hook becomes an elected official in Greece!

On March 28th, Borough President Marty Markowitz welcomed home Athens, Greece City Councilwoman Yvette Jarvis for a very special Borough Hall celebration. Councilwoman Jarvis, who grew up in Red Hook, made history last year when she won her City Council seat. She is the first African American person and one of the few foreign-born Greek citizens to win public office.

"Only in Brooklyn could a girl from Red Hook grow up to be a political trailblazer in the birthplace of democracy,” Borough President Markowitz said. “Brooklyn is so proud of her becoming the first Brooklynite to win an elective office aboard, and we wanted to welcome her home in style. This unique celebration combines both her past and her present. But, as I always say, once a Brooklynite, always a Brooklynite!”

“Very early on here in Greece, I remember coming home and telling my family and friends that one day I will make history in Greece,” Councilwoman Jarvis said. “I likened myself to Josephine Baker and would tell them that I will be to Greece what she was to France. I never fathomed that I would also make history in the United States. I am deeply grateful to come home for this honor and be recognized by Borough President Markowitz. I will never forget this incredible evening.”

Yvette Jarvis’ story is pure Brooklyn. After graduating magna cum laude from Boston University, she was planning on attending Harvard Law School, but her heart took her from the classroom to Greece. During her more than 20 years in Greece, Ms. Jarvis has held a number of high profile jobs: professional basketball player, model, television personality, singer and, most recently, city councilwoman.

The Borough President presented this event with the Hellenic American Women’s Council, HAWC, and the Alliance of Brooklyn Black Women’s Service Organizations.

Congressman Ed Towns, Senator Martin Golden, Senator Kevin Parker, Assemblyman Matthew Mirones, Assemblyman Nick Perry, Assemblywoman Annette Robinson, Councilwoman Tracy Boyland, Councilwoman Yvette Clarke and Councilman Vincent Gentile were also on hand to honor Councilwoman Jarvis.