Helen M. Marshall: Trailblazer In Queens, Dies at 87

QUEENS, NY — New York Democrat and the first African-American borough president of Queens, Helen M. Marshall, 87, died on Saturday in California, according to The New York Times.

She is remembered for her contributions to public libraries and the preservation of Queens’ cultural heritage. Marshall steered more money into public libraries in Queens during her decade in office than the four other boroughs combined, according to Center for an Urban Future.

Her list of intended changes for the borough became known as the “Marshall Plan for Queens” by her staff. During her 12 years as borough president starting in 2001, Marshall created the Queens General Assembly in order to encourage cross-cultural dialogue between individuals from different ethnic groups.

Her motto, “Visit Queens and see the world,” summed up Marshall’s vision for Queens.

The borough president became the first director of Langston Hughes Library in Queens and was awarded the Daniel W. Casey Library Advocacy Award in 2005.

Marshall announced during a State of the Borough speech in 2011 that former Queens resident Louis Armstrong’s Corona apartment was turned into a museum. She also said she swore in experimental poet, Paolo Javier, as the borough’s poet laureate.

Helen M. Marshall was born in Harlem on Sept. 30, 1929. She received her bachelor’s degree in Education from Queens College and went on to teach for eight years. Before getting involved in politics, Marshall was an activist advocating for job training programs and economic development in her East Elmhurst neighborhood. She then served in the City Council for 10 years and another eight years in the State Assembly.

Her survivors include a son, Donald Marshall Jr.; a daughter, Agnes Marie Marshall; and a sister, Joan Suger. Marshall’s husband, Donald, died in January.

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