BP MARKOWITZ MOURNS PASSING OF
FORMER DEPUTY BOROUGH PRESIDENT JEANETTE GADSON

“Brooklyn mourns the passing of Jeanette Gadson, former Deputy Borough President of Brooklyn, who served her community so vigorously, gave passionate voice to the concerns of so many Brooklynites, and contributed her boundless energy to spurring the renaissance that has continued to transform our borough. 

Before becoming Brooklyn’s first woman of color to occupy the office of Deputy Borough President, serving with Borough President Howard Golden from 1993 to 2001, Jeanette was a devoted activist and advocate for our residents and neighborhoods, serving her community with distinction as a New York State Assembly Member, as District Manager of Community Board 16, and as a commissioner of the Kings County Board of Elections.

When she and I competed for the same job in the 2001 election for Borough President, we shared a mutual respect that continued long past the campaign, and I sincerely believe that Brooklyn would have been in good hands regardless of who won.

Jeanette Gadson’s commitment to improving the quality of life and opportunity for all in Brooklyn was evident in her eloquent and influential appeals for the development of affordable housing, the improvements in education and job-training, and the creation and preservation of jobs that would pay Brooklyn workers a living wage, especially in the neediest areas of our borough.

Beloved by all, Jeanette’s creativity and dedication to establishing strong community relations in Brooklyn provided a model for all public servants, and her generous warmth, sharp intellect—and of course, that powerful voice for our underserved communities—will be greatly missed. It is my sincere hope that her family and loved ones will be comforted by the thoughts and prayers of all Brooklynites.”