Katherine Gilmore Richardson
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She began her career as a teacher with the Philadelphia public school system. Richardson also served as a staffing coordinator at Pennsylvania Hospital where she worked to create a transitional work program.
Richardson is a lifelong member of the Church of God of Prophecy on Ridge Avenue in North Philadelphia where her mother, Rev. Lorraine J. Gilmore, served as pastor. She is a member of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. where she has given her time and talents to the betterment of the community through numerous service projects. She is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Wynnefield Residents Association and has completed the Center for Progressive Leadership New Leaders Class, the Pennsylvania Women’s Campaign Fund Winning Edge Campaign School, the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., Zeta Organizational Leadership program and the Women’s Campaign School at Yale.
She was born and raised in Wynnefield and is a graduate of the Philadelphia High School for Girls. Richardson furthered her education at West Chester University where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in administration, concentrating on public administration. She is married to David R. Richardson and they are raising their children in Wynnefield.
Richardson had this to say when interviewed by FunTimes: “The most defining moment in my career was becoming a legislative aide in City Council. I truly enjoyed working with constituents to improve everyday quality of life issues on their behalf. However, the legislative process was unchartered territory and a new way of expanding upon my constituent service work. Public policy and strategy development for legislation was challenging. Those challenges helped me to gain a deeper understanding of the work of City Council. I learned so much effectively engaging in the legislative process. Although I was nervous about the new opportunity to learn and grow in my career, the decision was one of the best of my career.
“The most defining moments in my life happened while I was working in Council. I got married to my husband, found my biological parents, lost my parents who raised me from birth and had my beautiful children. All of those moments define who I am today and why I am committed to a life of public service to others.
“Being a young woman of color is challenging at times because you can be the only woman and the only African American in a certain room. For that reason, it is very important to show up prepared and ready to do the work you are assigned to do. I give my all each and every day and do not make excuses.
“Over the last several years, serving as a legislative aide, I worked to gain successful passage of numerous bills which have resulted in positive quality of life improvements for seniors, families, children and youth including bringing pedicabs to the city of Philadelphia, lead paint disclosure and certification for rental properties, strengthening the curfew law, green building standards for new and updated city buildings, equal city benefits, a law to strengthen fines and penalties for illegal use of All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), a law authorizing a citywide bike sharing program, making the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability permanent, a Philly First Local Bidding Preference bill for Philadelphia based businesses in Philadelphia, establishing progressive fuel standards, increasing funding for the Philadelphia’s hospitality and tourism industry by $2 million each year, creating a permanent Commission for Women, eliminating fees for group child-care providers and a bill which resulted in an additional $30 million in funding for the School District of Philadelphia.
“I think we all have to continue to work together to strengthen the bonds between all of our communities. I support the Mayor’s Commission of African and Caribbean Affairs and other religious and community organizations that focus on African and Caribbean people. A special shout-out to my church, Church of God of Prophecy, which has several Haitian and Caribbean churches in Philadelphia.”
