Since the mid-19th century, organized feminist movements in the United States have fought for women’s political, economic, and cultural freedom. They have expanded opportunities for women, enabling them to influence the world and reach unprecedented heights. New York is home to many notable women who have left an indelible mark on human history. In Queens, many influential women across various fields, from politics to show business, were born or have resided. Here is a closer look at four of them on queenska.com.
Kvitka Cisyk
Every American recognizes the voice of this legendary singer with Ukrainian roots. She collaborated with stars like Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, and others. Her two records of Ukrainian songs, which gained worldwide fame, were self-funded with about $200,000 from her own pocket. Thanks to Cisyk, Ukrainians across America and around the world could listen to familiar songs.
Kvitka-Osya Cisyk (her full name) learned to play the violin at just four years old. At Roma Pryma-Bohachevsky’s ballet school, she mastered stage performance and sang in a choir with a young Michael Jackson. Kvitka’s career began in New York clubs, where she performed in various genres, from jazz to pop and even rock. She also earned money by recording her voice for commercials and composers. This caught the attention of influential producers, and her voice was featured in campaigns for Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, American Airlines, and others.
Cisyk possessed a coloratura soprano—a light, agile voice with a high range and capable of rapid vocal coloratura. She skillfully experimented with styles, from jazz to classical. Additionally, Cisyk could sing in a “white voice”—a folk technique popular in Carpathian villages. She recorded two Ukrainian albums with New York’s best musicians, and her mother ensured the accuracy of her Ukrainian pronunciation. Interestingly, since childhood, she maintained a connection to her heritage by attending a Ukrainian cultural school and learning Ukrainian songs, traditions, and more.
Claire Shulman
A former nurse, Claire Shulman entered government through largely nonpartisan community boards. In 1986, she became the Queens Borough President, marking history as the first woman to hold this position. She served for 16 years, ensuring that every voter’s voice was heard.
Shulman served as president from February 11, 1986, to January 1, 2002, and was remembered as a staunch advocate for the community. A key accomplishment was securing funding for constructing the Queens Hospital Center and 30,000 educational institutions. Additionally, Shulman opposed plans to build apartment complexes in 12 neighborhoods in Queens, where residents preferred to maintain single-family homes. She successfully convinced officials to halt the construction of new buildings.
Shulman actively promoted economic development in the borough, tackled environmental issues, managed disputes related to airports, and ensured essential services for the ethnically diverse population. She often championed the interests of Queens’ cultural institutions, such as museums and the historic Flushing Town Hall. Shulman also advocated for women’s career advancement, particularly in public service. After leaving office, she continued her advocacy by founding the lobbying corporation Flushing Willets Point Corona to influence New York City Council.
Lori Loughlin
Lori Loughlin, a cinema industry star, began her career as a model before moving into television and film. With a long and successful career in entertainment, Loughlin won the hearts of millions worldwide. She is best known for her roles in television series such as the sitcom Full House, Beverly Hills, 90210, Summerland, When Calls the Heart, and Hollywood blockbusters like Secret Admirer, The Night Before, and more.
Loughlin not only focused on her career success but also supported her community. A dedicated philanthropist, she has supported numerous charitable organizations throughout her career, including Feeding America and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. She actively promoted initiatives to improve educational opportunities for children and young people, recognizing the importance of learning in building a successful future.
However, Loughlin’s reputation was tarnished by involvement in a scandal. Along with her husband, Mossimo Giannulli, she bribed officials at the prestigious University of Southern California to secure admission for their two daughters. In August 2020, Loughlin was sentenced to two months, and her husband to five months, in prison. She was also fined $150,000 and required to complete 100 hours of community service. Although the scandal negatively impacted her career, it didn’t overshadow her accomplishments. Fans forgave Loughlin, allowing her to swiftly rehabilitate and return to work.
Assata Shakur
Political and civil rights activist, as well as writer and poet, Assata Shakur gained fame as a fighter for the rights and opportunities of Black Americans. She was a member of the Black Panther Party, a left-wing African-American socialist organization active in the U.S. from 1966 to the early 1970s that advocated for African-American rights. Assata actively participated in organizing protests and fought for educational opportunities for Black individuals. She was also associated with the Black Liberation Army (BLA), an underground organization that operated in the U.S. from 1970 to 1981.
While Shakur made strides toward improving African-American lives, her reputation was marred by violent actions taken by BLA members. From 1971 to 1977, Shakur committed a series of high-profile crimes, including bank robberies in New York, the abduction and murder of a drug dealer, armed robberies, and attempted murder of police officers. However, though she evaded justice for many crimes, she was convicted of the murder of a police officer on the New Jersey Turnpike in 1973 and sentenced to life in 1977. After spending 21 months in solitary confinement on Rikers Island, she escaped with the help of allies.
Despite her controversial past, Assata Shakur’s contributions toward racial equality are significant. She shared many of her ideas in her books, especially her autobiography Assata: An Autobiography (1987), written in Cuba, where she received political asylum. This book covers pertinent topics such as education issues and the mistreatment of Black prisoners in the U.S.