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Abstract: Joyce Foster served as a member of the Denver City Council in Denver, Colorado from 1993-2003 representing District 4. She was the first Jewish woman to sit on the City Council and served as City Council President from 2001 to 2002. She worked on Skate Park and the University Hills Mall renovation. Prior to being elected to City Council, Foster was director of resource development for the Jewish Family and Children's Service from 1977 to 1993. Her husband, Steven Foster, became the longtime rabbi of Denver's Congregation Emanuel. City Councilwoman Joyce Foster's papers highlight her political career from 1993-2003 and include correspondence, newspaper clippings, newsletters, council resolutions, campaign literature, certificates, architectural drawings, and photographs.

Creator: Foster, Joyce C.--(Joyce Cohn),--1944-

Biographical/Organizational History: Joyce Foster was born in South Bend, Indiana in 1944 and from the age of 5 to 18 she lived in Benton Harbor, Michigan. She was educated at Lake Michigan College and Roosevelt University and Northwestern University in Chicago. She married Steven Foster, a rabbinical student in 1965. The couple moved to Denver, Colorado in 1970, when Rabbi Foster accepted a position as assistant rabbi of Congregation Emanuel, where he later became head rabbi. In 1977, Ms. Foster went to work for the Denver Jewish Family and Children's Service and was named Director of Resource Development. After 16 years she left the job to run for Denver City Council's District 4 to fill a seat vacated by Stephanie Foot. Foster received 37.5% of the vote with four other candidates in the running. The popular city councilwoman was re-elected and served for five terms, only retiring because of mandatory term limits. She was the first Jewish woman to sit on Denver's City Council, and served as president during the 2001/2002 calendar year.

Arrangement and Organization: The collection is arranged in three series:
1. Correspondence, 1993-2003.
2. Political and Public Relations Materials, 1993-2003.
3. Photographs and Graphic Materials, 1993-2003.


Separated Materials: None

Inclusive Dates: 1993-2003

Scope and Content: The records highlight the political career of Joyce Foster and major events in Denver's development from 1993 to 2003. The material includes correspondence, newspaper clippings, biographical information, council resolutions, campaign literature, architectural drawings and photographs.

Collection Number: B064

Size: 2.5 - linear feet, 1 record box and 1 flat box 17x14x12 in.

For more information about this collection and related collections, contact:
Jeanne Abrams
Director of Beck Archives
303-871-3016
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