Barbara Bohannan-Sheppard facts for kids

Barbara Bohannan-Sheppard (born June 15, 1950) is an American politician. She served as the mayor of Chester, Pennsylvania from 1992 to 1995. She was the first person from the Democratic Party to be elected mayor of Chester in almost 100 years. She was also the second woman and the second African-American person to hold this important role in Chester.

When Bohannan-Sheppard became mayor, Chester was facing many challenges. The city was struggling with its economy, recovering from problems in the city government, and dealing with social issues.

Early Life and Education

Barbara Bohannan-Sheppard was born in Onancock, Virginia. This was a small town located on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. She was the oldest of seven children from her father's second marriage. Her family did not have much money. Her father worked as a cook in a hotel during the busy tourist season. Her mother worked at a chicken processing plant.

When she was 18, her father sent her to live with her half-brother. She moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to help take care of his children. There, she met and married a bus driver. They had two sons together. Before becoming a politician, she worked as a pharmacy technician. She also worked as an organizer for a union that helped healthcare workers.

After her marriage ended, she moved to Chester, Pennsylvania, with her two sons. She hoped to study at Widener College and become a lawyer. However, she had to leave college because she could could not afford the tuition. To earn money and care for her children, she started a daycare business in her home. In 1990, she remarried Monroe Sheppard, who owned an auto repair shop.

Becoming Mayor

Barbara Bohannan-Sheppard was elected mayor when Chester was going through a very difficult time. Many factories had closed, leading to fewer jobs and economic struggles. The city also faced social problems, falling home prices, and a shrinking population.

In 1991, Bohannan-Sheppard became the second African-American woman to be mayor of Chester. She won the election against Willie Mae James Leake. Many people were upset about how the city government was being run. Different community groups worked together to help over 3,400 new voters register.

Bohannan-Sheppard was the first Democrat to be elected mayor of Chester since William H. Berry in 1905. Two other Democrats also won seats on the Chester City Council. This meant that Democrats were in charge of the city government for the first time in 125 years.

Working for Environmental Justice

As mayor, Barbara Bohannan-Sheppard worked hard for something called environmental justice. This means making sure that everyone, no matter where they live or their background, has fair treatment and is protected from environmental dangers.

She organized a meeting with people from Chester, government officials, and industry leaders. Representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection also attended. The meeting was held to discuss concerns about pollution, noise, and trucks. These issues were caused by the Westinghouse Corporation trash incinerator in Chester.

Bohannan-Sheppard pointed out that Chester already had several industrial facilities. These included the Westinghouse trash incinerator, a sewage treatment center, and a recycling facility. She argued that adding a contaminated soil treatment plant meant that the mostly African-American residents of Chester faced "environmental apartheid." This term means that certain communities, often minority groups, unfairly bear the burden of pollution and environmental risks.

See also

• List of mayors of Chester, Pennsylvania