New York and the political community are mourning the loss of Carol Berman, a dedicated American Democratic Party politician, who passed away at the remarkable age of 100 on October 17, 2023. Berman, hailing from Lawrence in Nassau County, New York, left an indelible mark during her political career, which included a stint in the New York State Senate.
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Carol Berman first rose to public attention for her vigorous efforts to prevent the landing of Concorde and other supersonic transports at the nearby John F. Kennedy International Airport. She played a prominent role in the Emergency Coalition to Stop the SST, which aimed to keep Concorde from using Kennedy Airport, a cause close to her heart, as the runway approaches passed directly over her Lawrence residence.
The protests organized by Berman and various other groups against Concorde made headlines. In May 1977, they initiated a series of protests at Kennedy Airport, with up to 1,000 cars driving along the main airport roadway during the 6:00 p.m. peak, deliberately slowing down traffic to a crawl. Berman’s activism reached its pinnacle in August 1978 when she announced that her group was fundraising $100,000 to support a lawsuit against the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. She encouraged other local residents to follow suit and take legal action against the Port Authority.
Berman’s impressive career included roles as a district aide in the offices of Assemblyman Eli Wager and Representative Herbert Tenzer. She also served as the vice chairman of the Nassau County Democratic Committee and was a delegate for Henry M. “Scoop” Jackson at the 1976 Democratic National Convention held in New York City.
In November 1978, Carol Berman was elected as a member of the New York State Senate, representing the 9th District. This district included portions of southwestern Nassau County, such as Point Lookout, Long Beach, the Five Towns, and extended into southeastern Queens, including Rosedale, Springfield Gardens, and South Jamaica. This territory surrounded Kennedy Airport, making her victory especially significant. Her tenure in the New York State Senate covered the 183rd, 184th, and 185th New York State Legislatures, with Berman contributing her expertise to various committees.
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Berman’s political journey made her a powerful figure in New York politics, and The New York Times recognized her potential in 1979, stating that “Berman could make a lifetime career in the Senate seat since the district is predominantly Democratic with a large Jewish population in Nassau and a large black population in the Queens portion.”
In 1982, Dean Skelos, a one-term Republican Assemblyman, decided to challenge Berman. This time, redistricting following the 1980 United States Census altered the boundaries of the 9th Senate District, favoring Republicans. However, Berman, running on the Democratic and Liberal party lines, won the race, proving her enduring popularity.
Berman’s determination was further demonstrated when she filed a $6 million suit against Skelos in Nassau Supreme Court, citing campaign literature that she claimed misrepresented her positions on certain issues.
In 1984, Skelos managed to defeat Berman in a rematch, aided by President Ronald Reagan’s visit to the district. Despite her loss, Berman didn’t give up and challenged Skelos again in the following years, showing her unwavering commitment to her constituents.
Beyond her political endeavors, Carol Berman made headlines for a different reason in September 2006. She broke her ankle in a fall into a narrow 10-inch-wide gap between a Long Island Rail Road train and the platform at the LIRR’s Lawrence station. The incident led her to file a $1 million claim against the Long Island Rail Road and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority a month later, after reading about similar incidents. The lawsuit was eventually settled for $150,000 in January 2009.
Carol Berman’s longevity and unwavering spirit continued to inspire those who knew her. She was a resilient advocate and public servant whose legacy will be remembered by the people she served.
On October 17, 2023, Carol Berman passed away, leaving behind a legacy of political dedication, unwavering commitment to her community, and a life that spanned an incredible century. Her impact on New York’s political landscape and her indomitable spirit will be cherished and remembered for generations to come.
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