Roxborough: Inspired Community Leader Continuing a Lifetime of Activism
Every morning, activist the Rev. Richard Fernandez picks up the phone to call politicians’ offices. Fernandez began his activism in the 1960s while he was attending Penn University. He became involved in the civil rights movement and worked with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “When I was in college I hitchhiked down to Montgomery (Alabama),” […]
Roxborough: Older Residents Stay Active with Protest Organization
The phrase “staying active” has taken on a new meaning for residents of the Cathedral Village Retirement Community in Roxborough and it’s political. The retirees formed the activists group Indivisible Village in January 2017 for residents there who wanted to engage in politics and fight for change. Indivisible Village is a local chapter of the national Indivisible […]
Hunting Park: Black Diamond Dance Troupe Prepares Girls For Healthy Futures Through Dance and Mentoring
Hip-Hop music played loudly at the Hunting Park Recreation Center, where a group of young girls smiled with joy as they began preparation for their next performance. The Black Diamond Dance Troupe was founded two years ago by Camisha Moyer, Shana Bowman and Kishna Jeantine, who serve as the dance coaches for the troupe. The […]
Activism: Rachel Winsberg Leads JVP Philly’s Outreach
Rachel Winsberg is helping lead the way for the Jewish community in Philadelphia. Jewish Voice For Peace (JVP) is a national, grassroots organization focusing on Jewish traditions and working for a just and lasting peace. The organization works in accordance to the principles of equality, human rights and international law for the people of Palestine and […]
Activism: Five Historical Activism Locations In Philadelphia
As the birthplace of the U.S., Philadelphia holds the history of William Penn, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and many others. These people stood on the front lines of making a change, not necessarily in battle, but in their activism, standing up for what they felt was right and to change what was wrong. Throughout the years, […]
Activism: Fighting For Transgender Rights In Philadelphia
During the Obama administration, federal guidelines released called on public schools to allow transgender students to be able to choose the bathroom facility according to their self-professed gender identity. On Feb. 22, 2017, President Trump’s administration notified the U.S. Supreme Court that they would be withdrawing this guidance and felt that this was a focus for state-level governments rather […]
Center City: Philadelphia’s Irish Community Supports Civil Rights
People of Irish descent in Philadelphia have a history dating back to the pre-American Revolution era. According to the Global Philadelphia Association (GPA), Irish Americans make up the largest ethnic group in the Philadelphia area. The 2000 U.S. Census lists the population of people of Irish descent in Philadelphia as more than 206,000. However, this […]
Strawberry Mansion: Tyrone Williams of NAC Teaches Community To Use Its Voice
Now the head of community engagement at the Strawberry Mansion Neighborhood Action Center, Tyrone Williams has worked his whole life trying to better his community. From a young age, Williams took an active interest in reaching out to people. He estimated his history in community outreach went back to when he was 11-years old and a […]
Old City: Miles Butler Builds Community to Save The Planet
As a lifelong activist and a current leader in Philadelphia’s sustainability community, Miles Butler has dedicated most of his life toward spreading knowledge and awareness of environmental protection. Raised in Mt. Airy, Butler lived in Massachusetts for a few years, then moved back to Philly to pursue his passion as a musician and environmentalist. In 2014, […]
Mt. Airy: The Long Legacy of a Green Revolutionary
Paul Glover is an accomplished author, city planner, urban environmentalist, university professor, public speaker and political activist. However, his many titles do not even begin to scratch the surface of his fascinating story. “Paul is a pioneer in his own right, coming here from Ithaca” said Chris Zelov, who is currently collaborating with Glover on creating […]