FILE - In this Nov. 3, 1993, file photo, Joyce Dinkins, front left, waves to the crowd as her husband, incumbent New York City Mayor David Dinkins, reads his concession speech at his election night headquarters in New York after losing the New York City mayoral race to Republican Rudy Giuliani, a former federal prosecutor. Giuliani became the first Republican to be elected mayor of New York since 1965. Joyce Dinkins, 89, died Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, according to her family. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File)
Joyce Dinkins, David Dinkins
NEW YORK (AP) — The former first lady of New York City Joyce Dinkins has died. She was 89. A family statement said she died Sunday at home. Her husband, David Dinkins, was the city’s first and, to date, only Black mayor. During his term in the early 1990s, she focused her efforts on the city’s children, promoting literacy and arts programs. A Howard graduate, she retired from her job in the State Department of Taxation and Finance. She grew up in Harlem as the daughter of one of the first Black men to serve in the state Assembly, Daniel Burrows. She is survived by her husband, two children and two grandchildren.
Very sad to learn of the passing of Joyce Dinkins.
Born in NYC, she spent her time as its First Lady with grace & purpose—dedicated to education and a champion for literacy.
My deepest condolences go out to Mayor Dinkins, their children David and Donna, and all her loved ones.
— Archive: Governor Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) October 12, 2020
