On Sunday morning, March 20, Lynn Schulman was formally inaugurated at the Queens Museum as the New York City Council Member for District 29, representing the communities of Forest Hills, Rego Park, Kew Gardens, and Richmond Hill, following the widely contested 2021 primary and general election races.
The Central Atrium room filled with friends and supporters of Schulman’s vision, as they heard poignant stories detailing her leadership in what amounted to a magical event for Queens.
For the Forest Hills native and sworn attorney, the position of Council Member is most apropos. For over 20 years, Schulman has served her community as Vice-Chair on Community Board 6, and once served on the 112th Precinct Community Council, the Board of Directors of the Forest Hills Chamber of Commerce, and the Community Education Council for District 28.
The ceremony included the Presentation of Colors by the FDNY Ceremonial Unit; the Pledge of Allegiance by Troop 4090 of the Girl Scouts of Greater New York; the National Anthem by Captain Antonio Quinones of the FDNY EMS; an invocation by Honorable David Greenfield, CEO of Met Council; remarks by Ana Oliveira, President and CEO of NY Women’s Foundation; longtime friend Karen Koslowitz, whose seat Schulman now occupies; Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer; NY Attorney General Letitia James; NYS Comptroller Tom DiNapoli; NY Public Advocate Jumaane Williams; Queens BP Donovan Richards; Queens DA Melinda Katz; and Congress Member Grace Meng. The Oath of Office was faithfully delivered by NYC Council Speaker Adrienne E. Adams.
Since assuming office, Schulman has been appointed Chair of the Committee on Health, and serves on the committees of aging, education, fire and emergency management, governmental operations, criminal justice, and the subcommittee on zoning and franchises. Schulman is the Queens representative on the Jewish Caucus.
By Shabsie Saphirstein