Margarita Lopez speaking at a NYCHA event
Margarita Lopez, current NYCHA board member has been an activist for a multitude of causes for over thirty years. She has fought for a positive change in domestic violence situations, advocated for the mentally ill and drug dependent, supported causes to benefit the homeless, promoted LGBT rights, and called for more green practices and environmental consciousness in both businesses and individual lifestyles.
A native Puerto Rican, Margarita Lopez first moved to Manhattan’s Lower East Side in 1978, where she immediately began vying for the creation of more affordable housing for residents. She was a member of the New York City Council, serving on its Mental Health, Finance, Contracts, Higher Education, and Environmental committees.
Currently a board member for New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), Margarita Lopez has continued to advocate for her many causes—but none so much as green living and environmentalism. She works actively to ensure that NYCHA housing is up to date and eco-friendly, replacing infrastructure as needed and reintegrating nature within public housing sites.
As the Environmental Coordinator, Margarita Lopez is responsible for heading up Green NYCHA, which has helped create a guide for residents to live sustainably. She also supported the opening of community gardens such as the New York City Planters Grove at Lillian Wald Houses in Manhattan, speaking about the importance of connecting with and respecting Mother Nature.
Margarita Lopez has worked with many organizations in conjunction with NYCHA — such as Planters,NYC Power Authority, and plaNYC—in an effort to promote eco-friendly living and sustainability. She has worked tirelessly to educate the public on the importance of going green, and continues to do so each and every day.