Joanna McClinton facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Joanna McClinton
McClinton in 2022
143rd Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Incumbent
Assumed office February 28, 2023
Preceded by	Mark Rozzi
Majority Leader of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
In office December 1, 2022 – February 28, 2023
Preceded by	Kerry Benninghoff
Succeeded by	Matthew Bradford
Minority Leader of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
In office December 1, 2020 – December 1, 2022
Preceded by	Frank Dermody
Succeeded by	Bryan Cutler
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 191st district
Incumbent
Assumed office August 25, 2015
Preceded by	Ronald G. Waters
Personal details
Born	(1982-08-19) August 19, 1982 (age 42) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Education	La Salle University (BA) Villanova University (JD)
Website

Joanna E. McClinton (born August 19, 1982) is an American politician who made history in Pennsylvania. On February 28, 2023, she became the Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. She is the very first woman to ever hold this important job.

As a member of the Democratic Party, she represents people from parts of Delaware County and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She has been their representative in the state government since 2015. Before becoming Speaker, she held other leadership roles, including Majority Leader and Minority Leader.

Early Life and Education

Joanna McClinton was born and grew up in Southwest Philadelphia. When she was younger, she had an internship at the WDAS radio station. She says this experience made her want to work in public service and help her community.

For college, McClinton went to La Salle University and studied Political Science. After that, she went to law school at Villanova University to earn a law degree, also known as a Juris Doctor or J.D.

While in law school, she worked as an intern at the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office and the Defender Association of Philadelphia. These experiences gave her a close look at the legal system.

Career as a Lawyer

After graduating from law school, McClinton worked for seven years as a public defender. A public defender is a lawyer who helps people who cannot afford to hire their own lawyer. She became very good at her job and was promoted to assistant chief for her area.

In 2013, she took on a new role as the Chief Counsel for State Senator Anthony Hardy Williams. As chief counsel, she gave legal advice and helped with creating new laws.

McClinton has also spent a lot of time volunteering. She has been a youth minister and a board member for La Salle University's alumni groups.

Starting a Career in Politics

In 2015, McClinton decided to run for a seat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. A special election was held because the previous representative for the 191st district had to leave his position. McClinton won the election with 70% of the vote.

She was reelected in 2016. After her reelection, she was chosen to be a leader for the group of representatives from Philadelphia County.

A Leader in the House

McClinton quickly became a respected leader in the Pennsylvania House. In 2018, her fellow Democrats elected her as the Democratic Caucus Chair. She was the first woman and the first African-American to ever have this job. The Caucus Chair helps lead meetings and organize the party's members.

In November 2020, she was chosen to be the House Democratic Leader. This meant she was the main leader for all the Democrats in the House. When the Democrats became the majority party in 2022, her title changed to Majority Leader.

Speaker of the House

On February 28, 2023, Joanna McClinton was elected Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. This is one of the most powerful positions in the state government. She made history as the first woman and the second Black person to be Speaker.

As Speaker, McClinton leads the discussions in the House and helps decide which laws will be voted on. One of the first laws passed under her leadership made breast cancer screenings free for people in Pennsylvania. She also helped pass new bills related to gun safety. These included a bill for a red flag law and another to expand background checks for buying guns.

Key Political Goals

Much of McClinton's work focuses on improving people's lives in Pennsylvania. She wants to make sure every child has access to good education, like universal pre-kindergarten. She also works on creating more jobs and improving the justice system.

As a former public defender, she has a special interest in making the legal system fairer. She has suggested that the state, not individual cities, should pay for lawyers for people who can't afford them.

Protecting Voting Rights

McClinton is a strong supporter of making it easier for every citizen to vote. In 2022, she introduced a bill called the K. Leroy Irvis Voting Rights Act. It was named after a famous former Speaker of the House. The bill aimed to allow people to register to vote on the same day as an election and to expand early voting options.

Honors and Awards

Joanna McClinton has received many awards for her work and service to the community.

• She has been named to "Forty under 40" lists for both Philadelphia and Pennsylvania, which recognize successful young leaders.
• In 2018, FunTime magazine included her on its list of women of distinction.
• The Philadelphia Barrister's Association, a group of African-American lawyers, named her "Outstanding Lawyer of the Year" in 2018.