1199 Hosts Mayor Dinkins Book Signing

July 1, 2014

Former New York City Mayor David Dinkins paid a visit to 1199SEIU headquarters on June 20 for a discussion and signing of his new book, A Mayor’s Life: Governing New York’s Gorgeous Mosaic (Public Affairs Books, $29.99).

The event was hosted by the Union in the penthouse of 330 W.42nd St. Attendees were honored with an evening that was not only a visit with a long-time time supporter of 1199SEIU, but also a personal reminiscence and a New York City history lesson.

Dinkins, 87, talked about being raised by his strict, hardworking mother and grandmother and the influence of his stepmother - a graduate of Howard University - on his decision to pursue higher education. Dinkins also discussed how racism formed attitudes and his memories of coming up against the Jim Crow laws of the South on his way to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina as a young Marine.

Rep. Charlie Rangel paid Dinkins a surprise visit during his talk; Rangel, together with the late Percy Sutton and Basil Paterson all shared a decades -long friendship with Dinkins. Their names are immortalized in the canon of New York City’s political history.

“We have maintained a friendship that never required maintenance,” said Rangel of the longevity of their friendship.

Dinkins described writing the almost 400-page book about his life in politics as “a labor of love.” He credited his wife with Joyce and many others for with encouraging him along much of the journey.

“Nobody gets anywhere alone,” he said. “Everybody stands on somebody’s shoulders.”