CHRISTINE Quinn is the current speaker of the New York City Council, the first female to hold the influential office since its creation in 1990.

A native of Long Island, Quinn attended Trinity College in Connecticut.  Since her election as City Council speaker, Quinn has established herself as a champion for working families, fighting for policies and services that are critical to the lives of real New Yorkers.  Quinn has developed a reputation for finding innovative solutions, and furthering policies that are both creative and fiscally responsible.

In her four years as speaker, she has taken on a wide range of issues in such areas as public safety, environmental protection, early childhood education, hunger and nutrition and affordable housing.
Since 1999, Quinn has served as the representative for the 3rd Council District of Manhattan.  She has been a long time pioneer for equal rights, comprehensive health care, improved schools, tenants' rights and affordable housing.

Before being elected to the City Council, Quinn served for five years as chief of staff to Council Member Thomas K. Duane. She then worked as executive director of the New York City Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project.  During her time with the Anti-Violence Project, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani appointed her to be a member of the New York City Police/Community Relations Task Force.
Quinn’s Irish roots and activism run deep.  Her grandmother was a survivor of the Titanic. 

She has been an outspoken advocate for the Northern Irish peace process and comprehensive immigration reform, and she consistently hosts dignitaries and groups from Ireland in her office.  She has also led the charge to secure city funding for a new state of the art home for the Irish Arts Center on the West Side.

The New York Post has twice rated Quinn one of the 50 most powerful women in New York City, and New York magazine has named her one of the most influential New Yorkers.

Quinn and her partner, Kim Catullo, live in Chelsea.
 

Return to Influential Women 2011