Cynthia Doty for City Council

Who is Cynthia Doty?

Cynthia Doty is a Democratic District Leader (69th Assembly District, Part A) and a long-time leader of Three Parks Independent Democrats. She serves on the Neighborhood Advisory Board #7 as an advocate for the poor and as treasurer of the Interfaith Assembly for Homelessness and Housing. A leader of several neighborhood coalitions, Cynthia works passionately to preserve community interests in the face of unbridled over-development and re-zoning.

Cynthia grew up in a political family in Philadelphia where she developed her progressive principles and a deep commitment to public service. Her father was a Pennsylvania civil and criminal court judge for over forty years and a leading figure in the Philadelphia reform movement, serving as a Ward Leader, a 1948 Presidential delegate, a Commissioner of Wills, and a Democratic State and Congressional candidate. Her mother was a Democratic State Committeewoman.

Cynthia received her education in the public schools of Philadelphia and was active in many city-wide youth leadership councils. She worked for many years for inner city youth programs sponsored by Fellowship House and the National Conference for Christians and Jews. She co-chaired the racial justice committee at her college and led several college campus groups to Washington to protest the Vietnam War.

Cynthia moved to New York in 1974 after receiving her master's degree in theater at Emerson College. There she began a twenty-year career in costume design, coordinating shows for Broadway, opera, film, and ballet. When the AIDS epidemic ravaged the theatrical community in the 80's, Cynthia was impelled to switch careers and return her energy to community service and fighting for social justice and parity.

Cynthia served nine years as Assembly Member Ed Sullivan's Legislative Associate and Special Assistant. In Albany, she drafted legislation and negotiated budgets. In the district, she advocated on behalf of hundreds of constituents to protect their housing and deliver needed services. Locally, she mobilized the community to preserve resident-friendly businesses, fought to keep St.Luke's Hospital in Morningside Heights, and helped organize Friends of CUNY to protect our public university.

Cynthia has lived in her present rent-stabilized apartment for the last 28 years, is co-chair of her tenants' association, an active member of her block association, Park West Village Neighborhood History Group, Westsiders for Viable Neighborhoods, and Coalition to Preserve Community. She also serves on the Community Advisory Board of the Institute for Community Living, a neighborhood homeless residence. Cynthia has been working to improve our neighborhood for nearly three decades.

Cynthia joined Three Parks Independent Democrats in 1988 and served as its president and District Leader. She worked on countless Democratic local, state, and presidential campaigns, from petitioning to managing storefront operations. In 1993 she ran Westsiders for Victory to help elect David Dinkins and then collaborated on the 1996 and 2000 storefronts to elect Clinton. In 2004, after actively campaigning for Howard Dean, Cynthia coordinated the Kerry/Edwards storefront on Broadway, organizing an extensive grassroots operation of phone-banking and swing state canvassing to elect the Democratic ticket. Remaining committed to fighting the Bush agenda, Cynthia has marched to protest the Iraq war, to protect a woman's right to choose, and currently is mobilizing voters to stop the privatization of Social Security.

Cynthia is a loyal Democratic activist motivated by her independent convictions who is unafraid to stand up for justice and the protection of our communities.