Katherine Gilmore Richardson

Katherine Gilmore Richardson
Majority Leader of Philadelphia City Council
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 2, 2024
Preceded byCurtis J. Jones Jr.
Member of the Philadelphia City Council At-Large
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 6, 2020
Preceded byBlondell Reynolds Brown
Personal details
Born1983/1984 (age 40–41)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Political partyDemocratic
Children3
Alma materWest Chester University
ProfessionPolitician

Katherine Gilmore Richardson (born 1983/1984[1]) is a Democratic politician and at-large member of the Philadelphia City Council. Gilmore Richardson was first elected to an at-large seat in 2019, becoming the youngest Black woman to serve on the city council.[2][3] On January 2, 2024, she became both the youngest ever and the first At-Large member elected to serve as Majority Leader.[4]

Early life and education

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Gilmore Richardson was born to a teenage mother from South Philadelphia and adopted at birth[2] by Rev. Lorraine Jenkins Gilmore and James William Gilmore.[5] She was raised in Philadelphia and attended the Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School and then the Philadelphia High School for Girls.[6]

She attended West Chester University,[2] earned a bachelor's in political science[6] and a master's in administration with a concentration in public administration, and became a member of Zeta Phi Beta.[5] She spent two years teaching as a substitute teacher at Overbrook High School[6] where she taught math and computer science.[7] In 2017, she completed The Campaign School program at Yale University.[8]

Political career

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In 2008, Gilmore Richardson began working as a City Council staff member in the office of Blondell Reynolds Brown.[9] Reynolds Brown met Gilmore Richardson when the latter was a junior at Girls High, their shared alma mater.[10][3] Over 11 years,[1] Gilmore Richardson worked in almost every position in her office, including Chief of Staff, before deciding to run for City Council in 2019.[10][3] She was endorsed by the Philadelphia Democratic City Committee[11] and The Philadelphia Inquirer[12] in the Democratic primary, and placed in the top 5 with 7% of the votes, advancing to the general election.[13]

In the November 2019 general election, she won the City Council At-Large seat, placing 4th out of seven candidates with 14.2% of the vote.[14] She is the youngest Black woman to be elected to Philadelphia City Council.[3] She has stated, "My work is a continuation of former At-Large City Councilperson Blondell Brown’s trailblazing legacy that was passed on from former City Councilmember Augusta Clark and Dr. Ethel Clark," and has expressed interest in using social media platforms for outreach to young constituents.[15]

In 2021, Gilmore Richardson was appointed to the United States Environmental Protection Agency's Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC). She is also the Vice Chair of the LGAC's Environmental Justice Working Group. She is the only representative on the LGAC from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.[16]

In the November 2023 general election, she was re-elected to Philadelphia City Council for a second term. She won the City Council At-Large seat, placing 2nd out of seven candidates with 16.13% of the votes.[17] During the 2024, Philadelphia City Council inauguration, she made history as the youngest and first At-Large member to be elected to serve as Majority Leader.[4]

Philadelphia City Council

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Committee assignments

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As of February 2020:[18]

  • Commerce And Economic Development
  • Disabled and Persons With Special Needs
  • Environment (chair)
  • Law and Government (chair)
  • Appropriations
  • Ethics
  • Fiscal Stability and Intergovernmental Cooperation
  • Global Opportunities And Creative Innovative Economy
  • Housing, Neighborhood Development, and the Homeless
  • Labor and Civil Service
  • Licenses and Inspections
  • Rules
  • Streets and Services

Issues

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Workforce Development

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Introduced in 2020, the Career and Technical Education Civil Service Preference legislation changed the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to provide a five-point preference to qualified civil service applicants within three years of completing a School District of Philadelphia[19] Career and Technical Education (CTE) program. The legislation went into effect in May 2023.

Developed in 2020, Gilmore Richardson created the city's first ever Apprenticeship Guidebook. She developed this guidebook with strong support from local unions, who have been active partners in her work to expand opportunities in the skilled trades.[20] The guidebook includes information on local apprenticeship programs, deadlines, and other essential information.

In June 2021, Gilmore Richardson passed the workforce development and career pathways information sheet bill requiring employers to provide an information sheet, created and updated by the Department of Labor, to workers either at the start of employment for gig economy workers or at the point of separation for all other workers. Gilmore Richardson Said "This legislation will help more Philadelphians move into family supporting and sustaining careers by providing them with information about job training and educational opportunities when they may need it most."[21]

Fiscal Responsibility

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In June 2020, Gilmore Richardson introduced a bill to require public hearings prior to adopting labor contracts, including the agreement with Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #5.[22][23] This legislation was passed by City Council in September 2020.[24] In October the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #5 sued the city over the legislation, and Gilmore Richardson said the measure creates "transparency and accountability" for the police.[25]

In May 2022, Gilmore Richardson passed legislation to account for the City of Philadelphia's estimated $6 million in Unclaimed property. The bill requires the Director of Finance to submit an annual report to City Council and the City Controller of all unclaimed property owed to the city, a status update regarding claims in process, and the total amount of revenue returned to the City of Philadelphia.[26] In November 2022, the city received $6,035,842.55 in unclaimed property funds due to the city.[27]

In February 2023, Gilmore Richardson passed legislation amending The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to change the requirements for contributions of the Budget Stabilization Reserve. The legislation was voted into effect during the 2023 Philadelphia Primary Election.[28]

Education

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In February 2021 at a rally with the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers against the premature resumption of in-person learning, Gilmore Richardson said "As a former teacher, as a mother, and a councilmember, I'm angry. We should not have teachers in this position. Ever."[29] She called for a vaccination plan for teachers and stated, "As we near the one-year anniversary of the pandemic, getting children back into classrooms throughout the city is vitally important to their future."[30]

In April 2021, Gilmore Richardson released a report recommending for conflict resolution training to be offered to all School District of Philadelphia students as part of a larger strategy to reduce gun violence and the number of conflicts amongst young people. The School District of Philadelphia announced that they would offer trauma-informed, evidence-based conflict resolution training at the Tier 1 level that is culturally competent and developed in collaboration with school staff and teachers next school year.[31]

Tangled Titles

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Inspired by her personal challenges with the tangled title of her childhood home,[32] In September 2021, Gilmore Richardson introduced legislation to help prevent tangled titles in Philadelphia. The Tangled Title Disclosure Bill requires funeral homes to share information, provided in partnership by the Department of Records and Register of Wills, about probating estates and avoiding tangled titles when they provide a death certificate.[33] The bill went into effect in August 2022.[34]

Her advocacy inspired investigative reporting on how tangled titles impact Black generational wealth in other cities such as St. Louis.[35]

Public Safety

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In June 2021, Gilmore Richardson passed legislation to reform Philadelphia's minor curfew law. The curfew reform bill simplified the curfew by making the times easier to understand. It also made the law less punitive by removing all fines and changing the requirements that young people must be taken to a police district.[21]

She also worked closely with the Administration to establish Community Evening Resource Centers (CERC), safe spaces for minors who violate curfew and young people seeking support, mentorship, programming and recreational activities. As of June 2023, there are six CERC's located in each police division across the city.[36][21]

Voting

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To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Nineteenth Amendment, Gilmore Richardson introduced a resolution to ceremonially change the nickname of the city of Philadelphia to "The City of Sisterly Love" for the duration of 2020.[37]

Arts and Culture

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In March 2021, Gilmore Richardson and Councilmember Isaiah Thomas moved to transfer $1.3 million to support artists and art organizations from the City recession relief fund.[38]

Personal life

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Gilmore Richardson is married to David Richardson[5] and they have three children.[1][39]

She is a Life Member of the Zeta Phi Beta sorority.[40][39]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Terruso, Julia (April 9, 2019). "Philly could elect its first millennial to City Council, where the average age is 58". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  2. ^ a b c Owens, Ernest (February 11, 2019). "Katherine Gilmore Richardson Wants to Become Philly's Youngest Black Council Member". Philadelphia Magazine.
  3. ^ a b c d Thompson, Nigel (January 9, 2020). "Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson: Meet the youngest woman ever elected to an at-large seat on Philadelphia City Council". Al Día. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  4. ^ a b Orso, Anna (2023-12-29). "Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson is slated to become Philly's youngest ever majority leader". www.inquirer.com. Retrieved 2024-01-03.
  5. ^ a b c Clifford, Patricia (September 28, 2014). "Wedding Story: Katherine Gilmore and David Richardson". The Philadelphia Tribune. Retrieved 2021-02-11.
  6. ^ a b c Thompson, Nigel (December 19, 2019). "Talking education and poverty in Philadelphia with Councilmember-elect Katherine Gilmore Richardson". AL DÍA News. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  7. ^ "Councilmember Katherine Gilmore RichardsonCouncilmember At-Large". Philadelphia City Council. 2019-12-11. Retrieved 2021-02-11.
  8. ^ "Katherine Gilmore Richardson, Class of 2017, inducted into the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. — Pennsylvania Chapter". The Campaign School at Yale. September 23, 2021. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  9. ^ "Katherine Gilmore Richardson". Second Ward Democrats. 2019-03-16. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  10. ^ a b Clay, Denise (2019-12-16). "The Next Phase". The Philadelphia Sunday Sun. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  11. ^ "Citing sexual harassment allegations, Philly Democrats dump sheriff from endorsed ticket". WHYY. Retrieved 2021-02-11.
  12. ^ Board, The Inquirer Editorial. "Inquirer Editorial Board's recommendations for 2019 Philly primary | Endorsement Guide". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 2021-02-11.
  13. ^ Terruso, Julia (May 21, 2019). "Philadelphia at-large City Council primary election results: Party-backed millennials come out on top". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  14. ^ "Sixty Six Wards: Ward Portal". jtannen.shinyapps.io. Retrieved 2021-02-11.
  15. ^ Thibert, Keshler (November 9, 2020). "Breaking Barriers and the Evolution of Black Female Politicians in Philadelphia". Hidden City Philadelphia. Retrieved 2021-02-11.
  16. ^ "Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson | At Large". Philadelphia City Council. 2019-12-11. Retrieved 2023-06-07.
  17. ^ "Philadelphia Votes Results". vote.phila.gov. Retrieved 2024-01-03.
  18. ^ "Standing Committees". Philadelphia City Council. 2016-01-04. Retrieved 2021-02-11.
  19. ^ Staff Reports. "Should the city give 'extra credit' to tech school grads who apply for government jobs? | Pro/Con". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 2021-02-11.
  20. ^ admin (2020-12-17). "COUNCILMEMBER GILMORE RICHARDSON JOINS LOCAL UNION REPRESENTATIVES TO ADDRESS PATHWAYS TO SKILLED TRADES". Philadelphia City Council. Retrieved 2023-06-07.
  21. ^ a b c admin (2021-06-24). "COUNCILMEMBER GILMORE RICHARDSON'S CURFEW REFORM BILL, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BILL PASS PHILADELPHIA CITY COUNCI". Philadelphia City Council. Retrieved 2023-06-07.
  22. ^ "Philly Council's police reform plan would ban chokeholds, increase transparency on contract talks". Pennsylvania Capital-Star. 2020-06-12. Retrieved 2021-02-11.
  23. ^ Richardson, Katherine Gilmore. "Richardson: We deserve police accountability. A public hearing on police labor contracts can help us get it". The Philadelphia Tribune. Retrieved 2021-02-11.
  24. ^ "Philly Bills Formally Ban Chokeholds, Require Public Input on Cops' Contract". NBC10 Philadelphia. Retrieved 2021-02-11.
  25. ^ Shaw, Julie. "Philly's FOP sues the city over requirement for public hearing on police contracts". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 2021-02-11.
  26. ^ admin (2022-05-26). "COUNCILMEMBER GILMORE RICHARDSON'S BILL TO ACCOUNT FOR CITY'S UNCLAIMED PROPERTY PASSES UNANIMOUSLY IN CITY COUNCIL". Philadelphia City Council. Retrieved 2023-06-07.
  27. ^ admin (2022-11-17). "CITY OF PHILADELPHIA RECEIVES OVER $6 MILLION IN UNCLAIMED PROPERTY FUNDS FOLLOWING PASSAGE OF COUNCILMEMBER GILMORE RICHARDSON'S REPORTING LEGISLATION". Philadelphia City Council. Retrieved 2023-06-07.
  28. ^ Staff • •, NBC10 (2023-05-16). "2023 Philadelphia Primary Election Ballot Questions. 3 of 4 Pass". NBC10 Philadelphia. Retrieved 2023-06-07.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  29. ^ Thompson, Nigel (2021-02-08). "Philadelphia teachers, political reps, show out against school reopening amid COVID-19 concerns". AL DÍA News. Retrieved 2021-02-11.
  30. ^ Dale, Maryclaire (February 8, 2021). "Philadelphia plans to vaccinate teachers and reopen schools". Associated Press. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  31. ^ admin (2021-04-14). "COUNCILMEMBER GILMORE RICHARDSON RELEASES REPORT ON HEARING CALLING FOR CONFLICT RESOLUTION IN EVERY SCHOOL". Philadelphia City Council. Retrieved 2023-06-07.
  32. ^ "Philly Council likely to enlist funeral homes in fight against tangled titles". WHYY. Retrieved 2023-06-07.
  33. ^ admin (2021-09-17). "COUNCILMEMBER GILMORE RICHARDSON INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO HELP PREVENT TANGLED TITLES IN PHILADELPHIA". Philadelphia City Council. Retrieved 2023-06-07.
  34. ^ admin (2022-08-09). "COUNCILMEMBER GILMORE RICHARDSON'S TANGLED TITLE INFORMATION SHEET BILL NOW IN EFFECT". Philadelphia City Council. Retrieved 2023-06-07.
  35. ^ Phillips, Nicholas (2023-05-16). "How "tangled titles" freeze wealth in Black neighborhoods (and probably elsewhere in St. Louis, too)". www.stlmag.com. Retrieved 2023-06-07.
  36. ^ "Community Evening Resource Centers | Programs and initiatives". City of Philadelphia. 2022-08-15. Retrieved 2023-06-07.
  37. ^ Romine, Taylor. "Philadelphia changes nickname to honorary "City of Sisterly Love" for 100-year anniversary of 19th Amendment". CNN. Retrieved 2021-04-23.
  38. ^ Editorial Board (March 18, 2021). "City Council's surprising new support for arts and culture deserves applause — and some questions - Editorial". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  39. ^ a b "Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson | At Large". Philadelphia City Council. 11 December 2019. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  40. ^ "Philadelphia City Council approves street renaming in honor of Zeta Phi Beta founder, Arizona C. Stemons". The Philadelphia Sunday Sun. 29 March 2019. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
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