On Tuesday, Shahana Hanif, a former City Council employee, made history by winning her election in a Brooklyn district that includes Park Slope, Kensington, and parts of central Brooklyn. Hanif, who is Bangladeshi American, became the first Muslim woman to be elected to the Council, despite the fact that New York City has a large Muslim population. Another South Asian candidate, Shekar Krishnan, also made history by winning a seat in Queens. Hanif expressed her gratitude and pride in becoming the first Muslim woman and the first woman of any faith to represent District 39. She mentioned the support of volunteers and endorsements from various community and progressive groups, such as the Working Families Party, in her speech. She expressed the goal of creating an inclusive and equitable city that prioritizes protecting vulnerable populations, providing fair education, implementing community-driven climate solutions, and ensuring that immigrant neighbors feel welcome and safe. She emphasized the importance of continued community involvement beyond the election. The upcoming City Council will see historic representation with the first out gay Black women, Kristin Richardson Jordan and Crystal Hudson, elected in Harlem and Brooklyn districts respectively. Several other LGBTQ candidates, including Tiffany Cabán in Queens, also secured victories. Chi Ossé in Brooklyn and Erik Bottcher in Manhattan did not face any opponents in their races. Lynn Schulman was predicted to secure a seat in Queens. These candidates are part of a trend in New York City's City Council, which is set to become almost as diverse as the city itself next year. Over 25 women are expected to hold the majority of seats in the Council, marking a historic first.