Deputy BP to take it easy/Aurelia Greene ends 4 decades in public service

Deputy BP to take it easy/Aurelia Greene ends 4 decades in public service
Photo courtesy of Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr.’s Office

A beloved role model and mother to all has announced her retirement from local government.

Deputy Borough President Aurelia Greene announced on Wednesday, December 13 that she will retire at the end of the year after more than four decades of dedicated public service.

“My life’s greatest reward was being able to serve the constituents of the Bronx,” expressed Greene. “My time working with Borough President Diaz has been a major highlight of my career and I appreciate the opportunity to have served.”

Greene served as the borough president’s partner for more than eight years.

“She stood with me every step of the way as we brought new investment and new attention to our borough, helping to guide my office’s agenda through the benefit of her considerable experience as a legislator and community activist,” shared Diaz. “Her passion for service will be truly missed and I wish her nothing, but the best in her retirement.”

The Morrisania native served as an assemblywoman for the 77th District, encompassing Highbridge, Morrisania and Morris Heights, from 1982 to 2009.

Prior to the Assembly, Greene was the Female Democratic District Leader for the 76th Assembly District and an active south Bronx civic leader.

During her 27-year Assembly career, she used her urban planning skills to negotiate for affordable housing and effective tenant groups, quality education, employment opportunities, affordable healthcare and housing, senior services, youth services, economic development and worked diligently for a fortified business community.

The first woman to lead the Assembly’s Committee on Banks, Greene passed landmark legislation to combat predatory lending.

In January 2006, she became the first African American appointed as Speaker Pro Tempore, allowing her to preside over session proceedings in the speaker’s absence.

She was a member of the Assembly’s Rules, Ways and Means and Social Services and Cities committees, a ranking member of the Education Committee and the Bronx Delegation chairwoman.

Prior to becoming deputy borough president in April 2009, Greene was the longest serving Assembly member in the Bronx.

Greene was succeeded by former assemblywoman Vanessa Gibson in June 2009 before Gibson was elected to Council in November 2013.

Gibson interned for assemblywoman Greene in summer 2001 and was promoted to Greene’s district office manager in November 2003.

“She’s been such a great role model, mentor and a huge inspiration for my career in government; she has been my everything,” said Gibson. “Aurelia has always been held in high regard by her peers and has commended others’ respect as a mother figure to all.”

At 83-years-young Greene is retiring from government, but will remain an active leader in her community and parish, St. David’s Episcopal Church.

As deputy borough president, Greene led the Bronx Borough Board’s meetings and assisted in the office’s management of the budget and community board process.

A Livingston College at Rutgers University alumna, Greene majored in Community Development and formerly served as a public agency administrator.

She was married to the late Rev. Jerome A. Greene and is the mother of two children, Rhonda and Russell, and a grandmother of five.

An announcement regarding Greene’s successor will be made in the upcoming weeks.