Jannie Blackwell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jannie Blackwell
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| Member of the Philadelphia City Council from the 3rd District | |
| In office January 6, 1992 – January 6, 2020 |
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| Preceded by | Lucien Blackwell |
| Succeeded by | Jamie Gauthier |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 15, 1945 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Lucien Blackwell |
| Children | Thomas W. Blackwell |
Jannie L. Blackwell (born July 15, 1945) is an important leader in the Democratic Party in Philadelphia. She used to be a member of the Philadelphia City Council. From 1992 to 2020, she represented the Third District. This area includes a large part of West Philadelphia and Southwest Philadelphia, like University City.
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Early Life and Education
Jannie Blackwell was born on July 15, 1945, and grew up in the city of Philadelphia. Before she became a politician, she worked as a teacher in public schools. This experience helped her understand the needs of families and students in the city.
Political Career in Philadelphia
Joining the City Council
In 1991, Jannie Blackwell was elected to the Philadelphia City Council. She took over the seat for the Third District from her husband, Lucien Blackwell. He had held that position for 17 years. This meant she continued a family tradition of serving the community.
Views on City Rules
Blackwell had strong opinions on how the city should be run.
- She disagreed with some parts of new rules about how companies could get city work. These rules also covered how people could donate money to political campaigns.
- She believed that these rules might make it harder for smaller businesses, especially those owned by minority groups, to get city contracts.
- She felt that people should be free to support the political candidates they chose.
- Blackwell also initially did not support banning smoking in public places across the city.
Protecting History and Community
In 2004, Blackwell suggested two new laws. These laws would give the City Council more power to decide which areas should be protected as historic districts. Before this, the city's Historical Commission made these decisions. She wanted the City Council to have more say in preserving important historical places.
She also questioned the role of the University City District. This group works in the University City area. Blackwell felt it was important to make sure that the interests of the local citizens were represented, not just those of the University of Pennsylvania.
Role on the Housing Board
Blackwell was a member of the board for the Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA). The PHA helps provide housing for people in need. In 2010, there was a vote to end the contract of the PHA's Executive Director. Blackwell was the only board member who voted against ending his contract.
Later Career and Election
Jannie Blackwell was also a Ward Leader for the 46th Ward Democratic Executive Committee. This meant she helped organize and lead the Democratic Party in her local area.
In 2019, she ran for re-election for her City Council seat. However, she lost the Democratic Party's nomination to Jamie Gauthier. This meant she did not run in the main election and her time on the City Council ended in 2020.
Family Connections
Jannie Blackwell was married to Lucien Blackwell. He was also a well-known politician who served in the U.S. House of Representatives, the State House, and the City Council. Her step-son, Thomas, also served as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. This shows a strong family history of public service in Philadelphia.
