Rosemary R. Gunning

Rosemary R. Gunning (February 7, 1905 – October 4, 1997) was an American lawyer and politician from New York. A founding member of the Conservative Party of New York State, she served in the New York State Assembly from 1969 to 1976, representing Queens. She was the first woman elected to the State Assembly from Queens.

Early life and education Gunning was born on February 7, 1905, in Brooklyn, New York City.

She attended St. Brigid's School and Richmond Hill High School, graduating in 1922. She was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1930.

1965 City Council campaign In November 1965, Gunning ran on the Conservative ticket for President of the City Council, as part of a citywide ticket headed by mayoral candidate William F. Buckley Jr. She was defeated by Democrat Frank D. O'Connor.

In November 1968, she was elected with Republican endorsement to the New York State Assembly, becoming the first woman elected to the Assembly from Queens. Supported bills for school decentralization. Helped to place 3,982 local homes on the National Register of Historic Places, making Ridgewood one of the largest federal historic districts in the nation.

Retirement and death On June 7, 1976, at the age of 71, Gunning announced she would not seek a fifth term in the Assembly. She told colleagues, "I'm sorry about it, but it's time to step down. I'll miss it. After all, you're in the action."

After retiring from the Assembly, she remained active in legal, political, and community organizations. She served on Community Board 5, the Board of the Ridgewood Property Owners and Civic Association, and the Greater Ridgewood Restoration Corporation. She also continued to serve as a member of the Advisory Council to the Housing Part of the Civil Court for more than two decades.

Gunning died on October 4, 1997, at the age of 92, at the home of one of her nieces in Roslyn, New York, of liver cancer.

Legacy In 1997, Council Member Thomas V. Ognibene funded the reconstruction of a playground in Ridgewood, which was named Rosemary's Playground in her honor. The playground is located in the Ridgewood neighborhood on the block bounded by Woodbine, Woodward, Madison, and Fairview Avenues.