Julia Harrison

Julia Harrison (June 10, 1920 – August 3, 2017) was an American politician who served as a Democratic member of the New York City Council representing Flushing, Queens, from 1986 to 2001. In 2001, newly enacted term-limit regulations forced Harrison to relinquish her seat. Previously, she represented the 26th district in the New York State Assembly from 1984-85 after working for many years as a community and political activist. After leaving the council, she continued to be politically active, winning the post of Democratic female district leader from Assembly District 22 Part B in 2010.

Early life and education She was born Julia Hirsch on June 10, 1920, in Rochester, New York, the daughter of Henry and Magdalena Hirsch. Henry, a laborer and factory worker, and Magdalena, a house cleaner and factory worker, both emigrated from Hungary as children, and married in 1919. The family later moved to Manhattan where Harrison attended Public School #9 and New York Evening High School. and took her seat in the 185th New York State Legislature. In November 1984, she was re-elected to the 186th New York State Legislature. In November 1985, she was elected to the New York City Council.

New York City Council In 1985, Harrison was elected to represent the 19th district on the New York City Council, becoming the first woman on the Council from the borough of Queens. At the time, the 19th district covered a large portion of northern Queens including Flushing, Whitestone, Beechhurst, Corona, Bayside and Douglaston. However, the city's districts were soon changed and Harrison's became the 20th, covering Flushing and a small part of Whitestone. Her committee was also active in other areas, including the investigation of elder abuse; elderly drug abuse; and the state's Expanded In-Home Services for the Elderly Program. The panel also created legislation to install condom machines in public sleeping facilities and to license prostitutes to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. She apologized for the remarks and stated they were taken out of context. Despite the incident, she was re-elected that fall for her final term in office.

Death Harrison died on August 3, 2017, in Flushing, New York, from stomach cancer, aged 97. Predeceased by her husband, Joseph, she was survived by her three children.