Katherine Gilmore Richardson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Katherine Gilmore Richardson
Majority Leader of Philadelphia City Council
Incumbent
Assumed office January 2, 2024
Preceded by	Curtis J. Jones Jr.
Member of the Philadelphia City Council At-Large
Incumbent
Assumed office January 6, 2020
Preceded by	Blondell Reynolds Brown
Personal details
Born	1983/1984 (age 41–42) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Political party	Democratic
Children	3
Alma mater	West Chester University
Profession	Politician

Katherine Gilmore Richardson is a politician from the Democratic Party. She is an "at-large" member of the Philadelphia City Council. This means she represents the entire city, not just one neighborhood.

Gilmore Richardson was first chosen for an at-large seat in 2019. She made history as the youngest Black woman to serve on the city council. On January 2, 2024, she became the youngest person and the first at-large member to be chosen as the Majority Leader. The Majority Leader helps guide the council's work.

Early Life and Education

Katherine Gilmore Richardson was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was adopted at birth by Rev. Lorraine Jenkins Gilmore and James William Gilmore. She grew up in Philadelphia.

She went to the Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School. Then she attended the Philadelphia High School for Girls. After high school, she studied at West Chester University. She earned a bachelor's degree in political science. She also got a master's degree in administration. She was a member of the Zeta Phi Beta sorority.

For two years, she worked as a substitute teacher. She taught math and computer science at Overbrook High School. In 2017, she completed a special program at Yale University called The Campaign School.

Political Journey

In 2008, Katherine Gilmore Richardson started working for the City Council. She worked in the office of Councilmember Blondell Reynolds Brown. Reynolds Brown had met Gilmore Richardson when she was a student at Girls High, their shared high school.

For 11 years, Gilmore Richardson worked in many roles in that office. She even became the Chief of Staff. In 2019, she decided to run for City Council herself. She received support from the Philadelphia Democratic City Committee. The Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper also supported her. She won enough votes in the primary election to move on to the general election.

In November 2019, she won an At-Large seat on the City Council. She was the youngest Black woman ever elected to the Philadelphia City Council. She has said her work continues the important efforts of past council members. She also wants to use social media to connect with young people.

In 2021, Gilmore Richardson was asked to join a special committee. This committee advises the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It's called the Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC). She also helps lead the LGAC's group that focuses on environmental fairness. She is the only person from Pennsylvania on this committee.

In November 2023, she was re-elected to the Philadelphia City Council for her second term. She won her At-Large seat again. In January 2024, she made history. She became the youngest and first At-Large member to be chosen as the Majority Leader of the Philadelphia City Council.

Philadelphia City Council Work

Council Committees

As of 2020, Katherine Gilmore Richardson serves on several important committees:

• Commerce And Economic Development
• Disabled and Persons With Special Needs
• Environment (she is the chair of this committee)
• Law and Government (she is also the chair of this committee)
• Appropriations
• Ethics
• Fiscal Stability and Intergovernmental Cooperation
• Global Opportunities And Creative Innovative Economy
• Housing, Neighborhood Development, and the Homeless
• Labor and Civil Service
• Licenses and Inspections
• Rules
• Streets and Services

Key Issues She Works On

Helping People Find Jobs

In 2020, Gilmore Richardson introduced a new law. It helps students who complete Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. These programs teach job skills. The law gives these students extra points when they apply for city jobs. This helps them get good jobs faster. The law started in May 2023.

She also created the city's first Apprenticeship Guidebook in 2020. This guidebook helps people find training programs. These programs teach skilled trades, like construction or plumbing. The guidebook has information about local programs and how to apply.

In June 2021, Gilmore Richardson passed another law. It requires employers to give workers an information sheet. This sheet tells them about job training and education opportunities. She said this law helps more Philadelphians find good careers.

Managing City Money

In June 2020, Gilmore Richardson introduced a bill. It requires public meetings before the city agrees to labor contracts. This includes agreements with the police union. This law was passed in September 2020. She said this helps make sure the police contracts are clear and fair.

In May 2022, Gilmore Richardson passed a law about "unclaimed property." This is money that the city is owed but hasn't collected. The law requires a report each year about this money. It also tracks how much money is returned to the city. In November 2022, the city received over $6 million because of this law.

In February 2023, she passed another law. It changed how the city saves money in its Budget Stabilization Reserve. This helps the city be more prepared for financial challenges.

Supporting Education

In February 2021, Gilmore Richardson spoke at a rally. She supported teachers and called for a plan to vaccinate them. She said it was important for children to return to classrooms safely.

In April 2021, she released a report. It suggested offering conflict resolution training to all students. This training helps young people solve problems without violence. The School District of Philadelphia announced they would offer this training.

Solving Property Problems

Gilmore Richardson had personal experience with a "tangled title." This happens when it's unclear who owns a property. In September 2021, she introduced a law to help prevent this. The law requires funeral homes to share information. This information helps families understand how to handle property after someone passes away. The law started in August 2022.

Her work on this issue also led to news reports. These reports showed how tangled titles affect families in other cities.

Improving Public Safety

In June 2021, Gilmore Richardson passed a law to change Philadelphia's curfew for minors. The new law made the curfew times simpler to understand. It also made the law less strict. It removed fines and changed rules about taking young people to police stations.

She also helped create Community Evening Resource Centers (CERC). These are safe places for young people. They offer support, mentorship, and fun activities. As of June 2023, there are six CERC locations across the city.

Encouraging Voting

In 2020, Gilmore Richardson introduced a special resolution. It celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Nineteenth Amendment. This amendment gave women the right to vote. For that year, she suggested calling Philadelphia "The City of Sisterly Love."

Supporting Arts and Culture

In March 2021, Gilmore Richardson and Councilmember Isaiah Thomas worked together. They moved $1.3 million to support artists and art groups. This money came from a city fund meant for economic relief.

Personal Life

Katherine Gilmore Richardson is married to David Richardson. They have three children.

She is a lifelong member of the Zeta Phi Beta sorority.

See also

• List of members of Philadelphia City Council since 1952