By MICHELLE SELLERS

Six days after the end of a life that was lived seeking to serve a community, voters will have one last chance to cast their vote for Cynthia Jenkins the eclectic, witty and out-spoken woman who gave it her all to help Southeast Queens.

Cynthia Jenkins (second from right) will be remembered as a unique voice very much a part of the Southeast Queens community.

"I will run for office until the day I die," Jenkins told the PRESS in an interview last year.

Jenkins began her crusade for equality in the Southeast Queens community as a librarian by profession and took her grass roots efforts to the New York State Assembly in 1982.

Most recently Jenkins was campaigning in the upcoming November 6th General Election for the open City Council seat in Southeast Queens’ 27th district.

But Jenkins will be remembered by most as never backing down on any issue she held dearly and for her argumentative style of persuasion and timely and effective mannerisms that have gave her the acclaim to proceed relentlessly in politics.

"She will truly be missed," said Nathaniel Washington, President of Community School Board 29

"She was a friend," Washington said "She stuck by us. She is a real statesperson, and a friend."

Born in Louisville, Kentucky to attorney Stephen A. and Maynie Burnley, Cynthia Jenkins whose first name was Essie, married Joseph Jenkins in the 1960s and resided in Springfield Gardens ever since.

Valedictorian of her graduating high school class in Louisville, Jenkins heavily pursued her education with honors during the turbulent times before the Civil Rights Era.

After receiving a master’s degree from Pratt Institute in 1966, Jenkins continued to contribute to the school as a Board of Trustees member.

Cynthia Jenkins’ bio as it appeared in the 1983 New York Red Book, the first year she served as an Assembly member.

After completing post-graduate study at Columbia University, Jenkins held employment at every library in Southeast Queens.

A 1982 bio of the then Assemblywoman had this to say about her distinguished involvement in the community as a librarian:

"As a public librarian, she has worked every public library in Southeast Queens and served as Branch Librarian in the Far Rockaway Branch giving her first hand knowledge of the entire area. As a professional worker and living in the community, she always became a full participant in the total life of the community."

A passionate fighter for education and children, Jenkins contended to stand firmly on prevalent issues as her bout began with politics.

Personal interest in those issues led Jenkins to organize the Social Concern Committee of Springfield Gardens, which has been open on Merrick Blvd. since 1969.

Compelled to be involved in her Springfield Gardens community, Jenkins later decided to expand her interest into the neighboring communities of Laurelton, Rosedale, St. Albans and Cambria Heights.

With political government as her platform, Jenkins used her ‘loud’ voice to give her opinions value, which in turn helped all of Southeast Queens.

"She was a good leader," said Judge Alton Walton, Jr. who became acquainted with Jenkins in the late 1970s when she served as a district leader and through their work together in Albany when she was assemblywoman.

"Her issues were to make sure a fair share of the state resources went to Southeast Queens when the budgets were cut," said Walton.

She stood for "children receiving more money in the education system."

"She was good people. I don’t think she got her proper recognition for all she did," added Walton.

"Jenkins was a fighter for the people of the Southeast Queens, as a librarian and district leader," said Senator Malcolm Smith. "You could count on her to fight for the interest of the people she tries to serve. She wanted to make sure Southeast Queens is a better neighborhood."

Assemblywoman Audrey Pheffer who served with Jenkins in the assembly remembered her as "outspoken in her activities in the community. She spoke form the heart in serving government. Her pet peeve was the districts school system. She thought it should be changed."

"She and I were in contest with each other in 1994 and 1996 for the senate seat, but I always had the greatest respect for their involvement in the community," said Assemblyman William Scarborough. "She stood very strong on her beliefs and had no problem with standing up to people in authority."

Leroy Comrie, City Council candidate in District 27 and longtime chief of staff of current Councilman Archie Spigner, called Jenkins "an institution in the community. She was never afraid to speak her mind. You always knew where she stood on an issue, and sometimes it was on your head," Comrie said. "She treated me like a way ward son most of the time when she wanted me to see it her way on issues, but she never insulted me or was demeaning. She treated me like a son as she often defended me."

"I am saddened to hear about the passing of Cynthia Jenkins with whom I served for nine years in the New York State Assembly," said Councilwoman and borough presidential candidate Helen Marshall.

"She was feisty and spirited politically active and involved and never lost her zeal for politics. In fact, as fate would have it, her name is currently on the ballot for the general election. Her enthusiasm and excitement will surely be missed."

Assemblywoman Barbara Clark, said "She was a colleague of mine in the state legislature for a number of years. I am very saddened to hear about her passing. I think the community has lost a strong, committed voice in southeast Queens. Many didn’t agree with her, but she would have had her voice heard on issues. This is a voice that is lost," said Assemblywoman Barbara Clark.

Jenkins co-founded the Black Librarians Caucus of Queens in 1970 which later grew into the Black Librarians Caucus of New York State.

The group had a national impact on library hiring policy as well as purchasing of books by Black authors and publishers.

But Jenkins also served the southeast Queens community by spearheading a multitude of organizations and consciously concerned groups including:

• Social Concern Committee of Springfield Gardens, Inc.

• Education Action Program

• Housekeeper Vendor Agency

• Social Concern Development Corp.

• Home Attendant Vendor Agency

• Social Concern Federal Credit union

• Friendship Civic Association for Neighborhood Preservation

• Voter Registration and voter education program

• Paul Robeson Regular Democratic Club, Inc.

• Southeast Queen Regular Democratic Club, Inc.

• Forum magazine

Funeral service for Jenkins will be held on Monday, Nov. 5 at the Springfield Gardens United Methodist Church located at 131-29 Farmers Blvd.

The viewing is from 5 to 7 p.m. and the funeral service is at 7p.m.