Barbara Bohannan-Sheppard facts for kids

Barbara Bohannan-Sheppard was an important American politician. She served as the mayor of Chester, Pennsylvania from 1992 to 1995. She was born on June 15, 1950.

Barbara Bohannan-Sheppard made history in Chester. She was the first person from the Democratic Party to be elected mayor there in nearly 100 years. She was also the second woman and the second African-American person to hold the mayor's office in Chester.

When she became mayor, Chester was facing many challenges. The city was struggling with its economy. It was also recovering from problems with corruption in the local government. There were also social tensions and a high crime rate. She worked to improve the city during these tough times.

Early Life and Education

Barbara Bohannan-Sheppard grew up in Onancock, Virginia. This is a small town on the Eastern Shore. She was the oldest of seven children in her family. Her family faced financial difficulties. Her father worked as a cook during the tourist season. Her mother worked at a chicken processing plant.

When she was 18, she moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She lived with her half-brother and helped care for his children. There, she met and married a bus driver. They had two sons together. She worked as a pharmacy technician. She also became a professional union organizer. She helped workers join unions to improve their jobs.

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

Political Career

Barbara Bohannan-Sheppard became mayor when Chester was going through a difficult period. The city's economy was struggling. Real estate prices were falling, and the population was shrinking. There were also social tensions and a rising crime rate.

In 1991, she was elected mayor of Chester. She won against Willie Mae James Leake. Many people were upset about corruption in the city government. Community groups worked together to register over 3,400 new voters. This helped Bohannan-Sheppard win the election.

She 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 gave Democrats control of the city government for the first time in 125 years.

Working for Environmental Justice

Mayor Bohannan-Sheppard worked hard for environmental justice in Chester. This means making sure that all people, no matter their background, have the right to live in a healthy environment. She helped organize a meeting for Chester residents. Government officials, industry leaders, and environmental agencies attended.

They discussed concerns about pollution, noise, and trucks. These issues were related to the Westinghouse Corporation trash incinerator in Chester. Bohannan-Sheppard argued that having many polluting facilities in Chester was unfair. She called it "environmental apartheid" for the mostly African-American residents.

A Difficult Decision

Mayor Bohannan-Sheppard faced a major challenge during her time in office. She hired a chief administrative assistant named Robert Hill. It was later revealed that Mr. Hill had a criminal past and had served time in prison.

Mayor Bohannan-Sheppard defended her decision. She stated that she did not know about his past when she hired him. She also believed that he had paid his debt to society. This decision caused a lot of debate within the city government. The city council voted to stop paying Mr. Hill's salary. Mayor Bohannan-Sheppard was the only one who voted against this. She refused to fire him.

In 1995, Barbara Bohannan-Sheppard ran for re-election as mayor. However, she lost the election. Dr. Aaron Wilson, Jr., a Republican, became the new mayor.

See also

• List of mayors of Chester, Pennsylvania