Cynthia was born on November 24, 1954 to Moses and Lizzie Gadsden in Jersey City, NJ.  Cynthia received her formal education in the JC public school system, where she attended ps.#12 and later transferred to ps#9.

Cynthia attended James J. Ferris High School and graduated with the class of 1972.  During her high school she became a member of the Theta Alpha Kai organization founded by the late Catherine Todd.

Cynthia was employed by Chase Manhattan Bank for eleven (11) years and served her community by regularly volunteering at a nearby soup kitchen (Let's Celebrate) and a local neighborhood laundrmat.

Cynthia loved singing, dancing and reading.  Wherever you saw her, you were sure to see a book in her hand.