Geraldine L. Daniels (September 9, 1931 - July 27, 2012) was the first African American assemblywoman for the 70th New York State Assembly District, representing Central Harlem, New York, from 1981 to 1993.
Daniels was born Geraldine Miller to Darnley and Pearl Walcott-Miller in East Harlem, New York. In 1950, she married Eugene R. Daniels II. Daniels began her political career when she joined the New Era Democratic Club, and she attended numerous state and national Democratic conventions from 1960 to 1988. In 1974, Daniels received an associate's degree in disciplinary history and social sciences, and a bachelor's degree in political science in 1976, from Malcolm-King College in Harlem.
As assemblywoman, Daniels was concerned for the health and welfare of Harlem residents, leveraging radio and television to reach constituents about issues such as preventive healthcare, housing, and social programs. She pressed the New York Counties Registered Nurses Association to re-establish the Harlem Hospital School of Nursing, wrote legislation to increase Social Security Insurance for senior citizens, and secured Bundy Aid for Malcolm-King College. She was a member of assembly committees on health, higher education, labor, mental health, and housing, in addition to serving as chairperson of the New York State Majority Democratic Conference, vice chair of the New York State Black and Puerto Rican Legislative Caucus, and a Majority Assistant Floor Whip.
Daniels also served as first vice chair of the Harlem Urban Development Corporation, a charter member and former treasurer of the Council of Black Elected Democrats of New York State, and chairperson of the New York County Democratic Committee. She held leadership roles in numerous organizations and clubs including the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the New York Urban League, the Negro Business and Professional Women's Club, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She advocated for public access television as the vice president of Inner City Broadcasting Corporation.
On July 27, 2012, Daniels died in New York City at the age of eighty.
For additional information on Geraldine Daniels and her district office, see the finding aids for the Geraldine Daniels District Office files, Sc MG 512, and the Geraldine Daniels District Office photographs, Sc Photo Geraldine Daniels District Office Collection.