Wilson Goode facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wilson Goode
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| 95th Mayor of Philadelphia | |
| In office January 2, 1984 – January 6, 1992 |
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| Preceded by | Bill Green |
| Succeeded by | Ed Rendell |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Woodrow Wilson Goode Sr.
August 19, 1938 Seaboard, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Velma Goode
(m. 1960) |
| Children | W. Wilson Goode Jr. |
| Education | Morgan State University (BA) University of Pennsylvania (MPA) DMin) |
Woodrow Wilson Goode Sr. was born on August 19, 1938. He is an American politician who made history as the first African American to become the Mayor of Philadelphia. He served as mayor from 1984 to 1992. Before becoming mayor, Mr. Goode was a community leader, led the state's Public Utility Commission, and helped manage the City of Philadelphia.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Woodrow Wilson Goode Sr. was born into a family of tenant farmers in Seaboard, North Carolina. In 1953, his family moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They settled in the Paschall neighborhood.
Mr. Goode was a very good student at John Bartram High School. After high school, he went to Morgan State University. He graduated in 1961 with a bachelor's degree. While at Morgan State, he was part of the Reserve Officers Training Corps. He joined the U.S. Army as a First Lieutenant in the military police.
After his military service, he returned to Philadelphia. He worked briefly in building maintenance and as an insurance adjuster. In 1967, he joined the Philadelphia Council for Community Development (PCCD). He became the executive director of PCCD in 1971. In 1967, he and his wife bought a house in Paschall. He also served as a deacon at Paschall's First Baptist Church. In 1968, he earned his master's degree in Public Administration. He studied at the Fels Institute of Government at the University of Pennsylvania.
Serving the Public Utility Commission
For a long time, there had never been an African American member on Pennsylvania's Public Utility Commission (PUC). This commission helps make sure that utility companies (like those providing electricity or water) treat customers fairly. African-American state senators pointed this out to the Governor, Milton Shapp.
Governor Shapp then looked for a qualified person. His helper, Terry Dellmuth, knew Mr. Goode from his community work. He suggested Mr. Goode for the position.
As a PUC commissioner, Mr. Goode traveled around the state. He met with different community groups. He studied important issues and worked to protect consumers. He also built good relationships with the other commissioners. Soon, he was chosen to lead the PUC as its chairman. He continued his work to help consumers. He also tried to keep the PUC's spending under control.
Working for the Mayor's Office
Bill Green was the Mayor of Philadelphia. He was elected in 1979. During his election campaign, Mayor Green had promised to appoint a black managing director. This promise came after a difficult primary election.
Mayor Green kept his promise. He appointed Mr. Goode as the managing director. Key members of the black community had strongly suggested Mr. Goode for the role.
Mayor of Philadelphia
Before the 1983 election, Mayor Green decided not to run again. Woodrow Wilson Goode Sr. decided to run for mayor. He won the Democratic primary election. This election was very close and divided by race. Mr. Goode then won the main election against John Egan. Mr. Egan was the Republican candidate.
Mr. Goode's time as mayor included a difficult event in 1985. This was the MOVE Bombing. Police tried to deal with a group called MOVE. This group lived in a house in West Philadelphia. They often caused problems for city officials and neighbors.
During an attempt to remove them from the house, a fire started. This fire spread and destroyed many homes. It also led to the deaths of 11 people. About 240 people lost their homes.
In 1987, Mr. Goode ran for mayor again. He won the Democratic primary. Then he faced former mayor Frank Rizzo in the general election. Mr. Rizzo had switched to the Republican Party. Mr. Goode won the election with 51% of the votes. This earned him a second term as mayor.
Life After Being Mayor
After leaving the mayor's office, Mr. Goode remained active. He worked for the U.S. Department of Education. He also earned a special degree called a Doctor of Ministry from Palmer Theological Seminary.
He became a minister and a professor at Eastern University. He also became a leader in helping faith-based groups with their community work. Today, he is the CEO of Amachi. This program helps mentor children whose parents are in prison.
Mr. Goode received the Purpose Prize. This award gives $100,000 to people over 60. It honors those who are working to solve important social problems.
Images for kids
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Woodrow Wilson Goode Sr.
See also
In Spanish: Wilson Goode para niños
