New York State’s First Black Female State Senator Dies at 85

Hon. Anna V. Jefferson

Honorable Anna V. Jefferson was born on May 7, 1926 in Columbia, South Carolina, the first child from the union of Maxie Jefferson and Viola Wallace Jefferson.  She was raised and educated in Brooklyn, New York; she attended PS 44, Girls High School, her B.A. and M.S. degrees were both completed at New York University.  She completed advanced coursework from multiple institutions with an emphasis on technology and she worked professionally as a member of the original IBM team that began the automation of the payrolls for the NYC Department of Education.
Senator Anna V. Jefferson, Democrat, was elected to the New York State Senate,  22nd Senatorial District, in November 1982. She was ranking minority member of the Child Care Committee  and a member of the New York State Black and  Puerto Rican Legislative Caucus.
Before going to the Senate, Senator Jefferson had  been Director of the Hourly Supportive Payroll in the New York City Board of  Education system since 1969.
Ms. Jefferson was appointed by former Governor Hugh L. Carey to Empire  State College, State University of New York as a Council member for the term  of 1981-1990.
Senator Jefferson has held the post of State Committeewoman and District Leader of the 53rd Assembly District for ten years, and is currently serving in that capacity after being reelected in September of 1982.
Senator Jefferson was a member of the following community and professional organizations: NAACP, National Association of University Women-Brooklyn Chapter, Charter Member of AFLCIO-Local 1251, Member of 88th and 77th Precincts Community Council, Chairperson of Inter-Group Relations for the Kings County Democratic Committee. Member of Medgar Evers College Community Council, Coalition of 100 Black Women, Community Planning Board #8 and National Minority Business Council Advisory Board. She is a member of St. Peter Claver Roman Catholic Church and the National Eucharist Society.
Standing committee assignments in 1983-Child Care (Ranking Minority): Higher  Education; Labor; Mental Hygiene and Addiction Control; Social Services.

She was a longtime resident and member of the WA-Greene Block Association in Clinton Hill.  Her interest and passion were centered on community service, education, health care and reform.  She received numerous awards and certificates for her work in the community for educational programs, general and mental health programs, and the arts.
Anna was an active member of her church, St. Peter Claver, for approximately 55 years and she was an established member in a multitude of clubs and organizations. During her years at St. Peter Claver, she enjoyed participation in various community, civic and educational activities.
As a community activist: she was a District Leader, the First Black Woman Senator in New York State, a founding member of the Bedford-Stuyvesant Rotary Club, Executive Director for the Betty Shabazz Scholarship Fund, member of the NAACP, past president/life member of the Brooklyn Club of the National Association of Negro Business & Professional Women’s Club, Inc., consultant to Key Women of America, Inc. and member of the Church Women United.

On Wednesday, June 24, 2011; our beloved Honorable Anna V. Jefferson departed this life.  Anna’s exuberant and vibrant personality will surely be missed by so many of us who loved, benefitted from her leadership and service and cherished her.  She is survived by her daughter, Paula, cousins, friends and those who she called her other children.  During her lifetime, she was a mother, mentor, godmother and aunt for many young people from around the country who she had nurtured and supported.
She leaves a rich legacy of love, service, commitment to equality for human rights for all and the continuous encouragement for young people to remember their family, heritage and move fearlessly through the challenges and obstacles to reach success.
All Services will be held at St. Peter Claver Church, 29 Claver Pl., Brooklyn, NY 11238
Wake: Thursday, June 30  2-8 p.m. Special Program/Service will begin at 5:00pm
Funeral: Friday, July 1  9:30 a.m.
Repast: Immediately following the funeral