The Passing of Former Vice Chair Blanca Cedeno
Dear NYCHA Community,
We regret to report the passing of Blanca Cedeno, former NYCHA Vice Chair, on December 2, 2015, at the age of 94. Ms. Cedeno began working for NYCHA in 1952 as a housing assistant and worked her way through leadership positions in the Intergroup Relations Division and the Office of Community Affairs. In 1978, Mayor Ed Koch appointed her NYCHA’s then-Vice Chairwoman, where she served for ten years.
Ms. Cedeno’s career was marked by significant awards and achievements. In 1976 she received the New York City Public Service award for Professional Achievement. In 1978 President Jimmy Carter appointed her to the Board of Directors of the National Institute of Building Sciences. And in 1984 she was elected to the Hunter College Hall of Fame, and inducted into the YWCA’s Academy of Women Achievers.
In addition to her work for the City of New York and the Housing Authority, Ms. Cedeno was an ardent advocate for the rights Puerto Rican youth. She was the chair of the board of trustees at Boricua College and helped found ASPIRA and the National Puerto Rican Forum.
Sincerely,
The family of Blanca Ceden
