Melissa Mark-Viverito

Melissa Mark-Viverito
US Department of Labor · CC BY 2.0 · source
Name	Melissa Mark-Viverito
Birth date	April 1, 1969
Birth place	Bayamón, Puerto Rico
Residence	New York City
Nationality	American
Party	Democratic

Melissa Mark-Viverito is a Puerto Rican-American politician who served as the Speaker of the New York City Council from 2014 to 2017. She was a member of the New York City Council, representing the 8th district, which includes East Harlem, El Barrio, Mott Haven, High Bridge, Concourse, Longwood, and Port Morris. Mark-Viverito was a key figure in the New York City Council and worked closely with Mayors Michael Bloomberg and Bill de Blasio. She was also a member of the Democratic National Committee and the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials.

● Early Life and Education

Melissa Mark-Viverito was born in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, and moved to New York City with her family at a young age. She grew up in East Harlem and attended Columbia University, where she earned a degree in Latin American studies and political science. Mark-Viverito also attended Baruch College, part of the City University of New York system, and earned a degree in public administration. She was influenced by the work of César Chávez and Dolores Huerta, and was involved in various Latino organizations, including the National Council of La Raza and the League of United Latin American Citizens.

● Career

Before entering politics, Mark-Viverito worked as a housing organizer for Nos Quedamos, a community organization in the South Bronx. She also worked for the National Institute for Latino Policy and the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund. Mark-Viverito was a member of the New York City Commission on Human Rights and the New York City Planning Commission. She was also a board member of the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies and the United Way of New York City. Mark-Viverito's work was recognized by organizations such as the New York City Bar Association and the Hispanic Federation.

● Political Career

Mark-Viverito was first elected to the New York City Council in 2005, representing the 8th district. She was a member of the Progressive Caucus and the Black, Latino and Asian Caucus. Mark-Viverito served as the chair of the Committee on Parks and Recreation and the Committee on Housing and Buildings. She worked closely with Council Members Letitia James and Brad Lander on issues such as affordable housing and community development. Mark-Viverito was also a strong supporter of Mayor Michael Bloomberg's PlaNYC 2030 initiative and worked with City Agencies such as the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development and the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation.

● Tenure

as Speaker In 2014, Mark-Viverito was elected as the Speaker of the New York City Council, becoming the first Latina to hold the position. She worked closely with Mayor Bill de Blasio on issues such as universal pre-kindergarten and affordable housing. Mark-Viverito was a key figure in the passage of the New York City Municipal Identification Card program, which provided identification cards to all New York City residents, regardless of immigration status. She also worked with Council Members Daniel Dromm and Jimmy Van Bramer on issues such as LGBTQ rights and disability rights. Mark-Viverito's tenure as Speaker was marked by her commitment to progressive policies and her work with organizations such as the AFL-CIO and the SEIU 1199.

● Post-Speakership Career

After leaving the New York City Council, Mark-Viverito went on to work as a fellow at the Harvard University Institute of Politics and the New York University Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. She also served as a board member of the New York City Health + Hospitals system and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Mark-Viverito has been involved in various progressive organizations, including the Working Families Party and the New York City Democratic Socialists of America. She has also worked with elected officials such as Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and State Senator Julia Salazar on issues such as Medicare for All and climate change.

● Personal Life

Mark-Viverito is a resident of East Harlem and is married to Daniel Bernstein. She is a member of the Democratic Party and has been involved in various Latino organizations, including the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials and the Hispanic Federation. Mark-Viverito has received awards from organizations such as the New York City Bar Association and the League of United Latin American Citizens. She has also been recognized by elected officials such as Governor Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio for her work on issues such as affordable housing and immigrant rights. Mark-Viverito's work has been covered by media outlets such as The New York Times, El Diario La Prensa, and La Opinión. Category:American politicians of Puerto Rican descent