York and became notable in their own right: Alvarez, Aida – former Small Business Administrator Juanita Arocho – political activist, journalist Belen, Ivonne – movie director Badillo, Herman – first Puerto Rican to serve in Congress Braschi, Giannina – novelist and essayist Judge Cabranes, Jose A. – U.S. circuit judge Camacho Sr., Hector – boxer Casals Istomin, Marta – musician Collazo, Oscar – Puerto Rican nationalist Colon, Jesus – writer Colon, Miriam – actress Rev. Cruz, Nicky – minister de Burgos, Julia – poet Estavillo, Nicholas – the first Hispanic to become a three-star Chief in NYPD Falcon. Angelo – political scientist Ferrer, Jose – actor Garcia Rivera Sr., Oscar – first Puerto Rican to hold public office in the mainland USA Gonzalez, Isabel – paved the way for the Jones–Shafroth Act which conferred United States citizenship on all citizens of Puerto Rico Holly, Maria Elena – widow of "rock n roll" pioneer Buddy Holly Labarthe, Pedro J. – poet, journalist, essayist, and novelist Lebron, Lolita – Puerto Rican nationalist Mark-Viverito, Melissa – elected speaker of the New York City Council in January 2014 Méndez, Olga A. – New York state senator Méndez, Tony – The first native-born Puerto Rican to become a district leader of a major political party in New York City Moreno, Rita – actress Ortiz, Carlos – boxer Powell IV, Adam Clayton – N.Y. State Assembly member Santiago, Herman – composer of "Why do Fools Fall in Love" Serrano, Yolanda – HIV/AIDS activist Schomburg, Arturo Alfonso – considered by many as the "Father of Black History" Torres, Jose – boxer Velazquez, Nydia – congresswoman Lavoe, Héctor – Singer of the singers See also List of Puerto Ricans List of Stateside Puerto Ricans Puerto Ricans in the United States (Stateside Puerto Ricans) Nuyorican Nuyorican movement Nuyorican Poets Café Music of Puerto Rico Hispanics and Latinos in New Jersey Puerto Ricans in Philadelphia References External links Puerto Rican Women Puerto Rican migration within U.S. History Puerto Rican migration Hispanic and Latino American culture in New York City New York New York City Society of Puerto Rico Ethnic groups in New York City