|
Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown is dedicated
to enriching the lives of Philadelphia residents by “Putting
People First.” As an educator, community activist,
political leader and concerned parent, her focus and commitment
to help others defined her work prior to her election to
Philadelphia City Council. She has sponsored and gained
passage of legislation that promotes the availability of
and increases access to meaningful opportunities in education,
arts and culture, and small business development. In addition,
Councilwoman Reynolds Brown is now an emerging leader in
energy conservation and environmental matters and is infusing
her policy and program initiatives to reflect this new and
important priority.
A sought-after speaker, Councilwoman
Reynolds Brown devotes her programmatic and legislative
efforts toward improving the quality of life for our city’s
most vulnerable citizens, children. The Women’s Empowerment
Forum her new and redefined signature program held in May
now focuses on the potential of girls, the promise of the
next generation of women leaders (ages 25-39 yrs. old) and
the power of accomplished professional and businesswomen,
especially working mothers. Councilwoman Reynolds Brown
has been recognized for her accomplishments as a Philadelphia
Business Journal Woman of Distinction; as a recipient of
the PA Commission for Women’s 2008 Women’s History
Month Award; and as one of 50 of Pennsylvania’s most
influential women in the book, VOICES.
Accomplishments:
Since assuming office in January 2000, Blondell Reynolds
Brown worked tirelessly to ensure the successful passage
of legislation focused on her platform issues:
- Persuaded the Phillies and Eagles,
along with Mayor John F. Street , during the new sports
stadium negotiations, to establish a “Fund for Children”
requiring each team to contribute $1 million annually
for 30 years.
- Advocated and secured funding for
arts and culture programming in the City’s budget.
- Fought to ensure the integrity of
the City's "Percent for Art" programs.
- Earned passage of “smart”
bills that simplify the approval process for childcare
providers, eased the tax burden on new businesses, enabling
the City of Philadelphia to save money by taking advantage
of lower cost procurement contracts.
- Sponsored resolutions that supported
organized labor unions (SEIU – Janitors and 1199C
– Childcare Teachers) in their efforts to gain fair
contracts and fought for amendments to protect union jobs
from privatization (DC33).
The safety and well-being of
children, quality child care, and expanded business opportunities
for minorities and women has been a legislative priority
during her of service on the City Council:
- Instituted the Special Committee
on Gender Parity and Working Women to advance female entrepreneurship
opportunities and level the playing field on business
and governmental contracts.
- Revised “childcare”
definition through legislation authorizing childcare facilities
to operate and function within commercial districts and
neighborhood shopping centers.
- Equipped police officers with a
new and stronger curfew law to complement the opening
of 11 citywide curfew centers
- Passed a bill requiring guides to
pass an exam to preserve historical accuracy when offering
tours in Philadelphia.
- Authored legislation requiring chain
restaurants to provide menu labeling with nutritional
and calorie information, effective January, 2010.
- Sponsored the Slavery Disclosure
Ordinance requiring businesses interested in contracts
to reveal connections to slavery.
- Created and implemented the “Groceries
for Guns” initiative, a gun buyback program that
resulted in an unprecedented number of gun buybacks, to
help curtain gun violence in the city.
- Introduced legislation that amended
the City Charter to create a Youth Commission for young
people in Philadelphia.
Education:
- Bachelor of Science in
Elementary Education and Master of Science in Education,
Pennsylvania State University
Organizational Affiliations
(current):
- Board Member, The Philadelphia Convention
and Visitor’s Bureau, The Marian Anderson Award,
The African American Museum of Philadelphia, Philadelphia
Young Playwrights, City Year Philadelphia, Please Touch
Museum and The Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance.
- Member, Philadelphia Alumnae Chapter
of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; Coalition of 100
Black Women, PA Chapter; The Women’s Regional Business
Council; and Pinn Memorial Baptist Church in West Philadelphia.
Councilwoman Reynolds Brown
resides in Philadelphia’s Wynnefield section with
her husband, Howard, and their children, Andrew and Brielle..
“The secret of leadership
is to think of your position as an opportunity to serve,
not as a trumpet call to self-importance.”
J. Donald Walters
|
