Blondell Reynolds Brown
Encyclopedia
Blondell Reynolds Brown is an American politician and member of the Democratic Party
. She is currently serving her 3rd term as a member of Philadelphia City Council
. Reynolds Brown is the only woman to win a Philadelphia At-Large Council seat since 2000.
On Tuesday May 17, 2011 Reynolds Brown won the Democratic Party nomination in the Pennsylvania Primary, finishing first in a field of 14 candidates.
. Her parents are Sadie, a schoolteacher, and the late Whittimore Reynolds, who worked in construction. She is the oldest of seven children.
After graduating from the Philadelphia High School for Girls
in 1970, Reynolds Brown earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education in 1974 and a Master of Science in Education with a focus on counseling and guidance in 1975, both from Penn State University. That year she began teaching elementary school in the School District of Philadelphia
.
In 1982, Reynolds Brown began a career as a professional dancer, ultimately earning a place as a professional company member of the Philadelphia Dance Company, also known as Philadanco. Following her company membership, she would continue her affiliation with Philadanco, becoming a dance instructor and later a board member for 20 years.
From 2002–2005 Reynolds Brown served as a national Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
fellow in the area of Urban Health Initiatives providing an intensive learning experience in planning and implementing strategic and innovative policy system changes for children, youth and families. She is also a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania
's Community Leadership Program and the Philadelphia Urban League Leadership Institute.
She currently resides with her family in Philadelphia’s Wynnefield section.
. She went on to serve as Community Affairs Director for State Senator Vincent Hughes
.
Reynolds Brown was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention
in 1984, 1988, 1996, 2000 and 2008.
Per the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter, a candidate for City Council At-Large must place 5th or higher in their party primary held in May. Those candidates advance to the November general election where they must place 7th or higher to win a seat.
Reynolds Brown’s first major public policy victory came as a freshman Councilmember when she brokered a deal that established the Fund for Children during the new sports stadium negotiations in 2000. Consequently, the Philadelphia Phillies
and Philadelphia Eagles
will donate $1 million per team per year for 30 years, yielding more than $60 million to help children in Philadelphia.
Her other accomplishments include a “Green Building” bill requiring City owned construction to meet high environmental standards, overhauling the Philadelphia Parks and Recreation system by merging Fairmount Park
with the Philadelphia Department of Recreation, defending the City’s “Percent for Art” program, and instituting the Special Committee on Gender Parity and Working Women.
In 2007, Reynolds Brown and Congressman Fattah created the “Groceries for Guns” buyback program that provided $200 in grocery tokens in exchange for firearms. The program is credited with removing over 1,000 guns of the streets of Philadelphia.
In 2008, she authored legislation requiring chain restaurants with 15 or more locations nationwide to label menus with nutritional information, the most comprehensive menu labeling bill in the country. The bill requires the listing of fat, sodium and sugar in addition to calories.
in March. Through this program, Reynolds Brown has honored hundreds of successful business and professional women, working mothers, and Philadelphia’s “Next Generation of Female Leaders: Rising Stars”.
Reynolds Brown serves on the board of directors of the following community organizations:
Additionally, she is a member of the following :
Reynolds Brown has been recognized with the following awards and distinctions :
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
. She is currently serving her 3rd term as a member of Philadelphia City Council
Philadelphia City Council
The Philadelphia City Council, the legislative body of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, consists of ten members elected by district and seven members elected at-large. The council president is elected by the members from among their number...
. Reynolds Brown is the only woman to win a Philadelphia At-Large Council seat since 2000.
On Tuesday May 17, 2011 Reynolds Brown won the Democratic Party nomination in the Pennsylvania Primary, finishing first in a field of 14 candidates.
Biography
Reynolds Brown was born on October 16, 1952, in Sumter, South CarolinaSumter, South Carolina
-Demographics:, there were 59,180 people, 34,717 households, and 4,049 families living in the city. The population density was 4,469.5 people per square mile . There were 416,032 housing units at an average density of 603.0 per square mile...
. Her parents are Sadie, a schoolteacher, and the late Whittimore Reynolds, who worked in construction. She is the oldest of seven children.
After graduating from the Philadelphia High School for Girls
Philadelphia High School for Girls
The Philadelphia High School for Girls, also known as Girls' High, is a public university-preparatory magnet high school for girls in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. As its name suggests, the school's enrollment is all female....
in 1970, Reynolds Brown earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education in 1974 and a Master of Science in Education with a focus on counseling and guidance in 1975, both from Penn State University. That year she began teaching elementary school in the School District of Philadelphia
School District of Philadelphia
The School District of Philadelphia is a school district based in the School District of Philadelphia Education Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that includes all public schools in the city of Philadelphia. Established in 1818, it is the eighth largest school district in the nation.The School...
.
In 1982, Reynolds Brown began a career as a professional dancer, ultimately earning a place as a professional company member of the Philadelphia Dance Company, also known as Philadanco. Following her company membership, she would continue her affiliation with Philadanco, becoming a dance instructor and later a board member for 20 years.
From 2002–2005 Reynolds Brown served as a national Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is the United States' largest philanthropy devoted exclusively to health and health care; it is based in Princeton, New Jersey. The foundation's mission is to improve the health and health care of all Americans...
fellow in the area of Urban Health Initiatives providing an intensive learning experience in planning and implementing strategic and innovative policy system changes for children, youth and families. She is also a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
's Community Leadership Program and the Philadelphia Urban League Leadership Institute.
She currently resides with her family in Philadelphia’s Wynnefield section.
Early political career
From 1982 to 1986, Reynolds Brown served as a committee person for the Third Division of Philadelphia’s 24th Ward, beginning her career in politics. In 1991, she was hired as legislative director for then Pennsylvania State Senator and current Congressman Chaka FattahChaka Fattah
Chaka Fattah is the U.S. representative for , serving since 1995. He is a member of the Democratic Party...
. She went on to serve as Community Affairs Director for State Senator Vincent Hughes
Vincent Hughes
Vincent J. Hughes is a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania State Senate who has represented the 7th District since 1994. He was previously a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1987 through 1994. He was elected Minority Caucus Chair in 2009...
.
Reynolds Brown was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention
Democratic National Convention
The Democratic National Convention is a series of presidential nominating conventions held every four years since 1832 by the United States Democratic Party. They have been administered by the Democratic National Committee since the 1852 national convention...
in 1984, 1988, 1996, 2000 and 2008.
Campaigns
Philadelphia City Council is composed of 10 District Councilmembers and 7 members At-Large. At-Large members are elected city wide.Per the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter, a candidate for City Council At-Large must place 5th or higher in their party primary held in May. Those candidates advance to the November general election where they must place 7th or higher to win a seat.
| Year | Democratic Primary Ranking | Number of Primary Candidates | General Election Ranking (Out of 10) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 6th | 12 | N/A |
| 1999 | 3rd | 52 | 5th |
| 2003 | 1st | 10 | 3rd |
| 2007 | 5th | 19 | 4th |
| 2011 | 1st | 14 | N/A |
Legislative agenda
Reynolds Brown’s core issues are women, children, education, arts and culture, and small business development. In her 3rd term, she has become a leader on energy conservation, sustainability and environmental issues.Reynolds Brown’s first major public policy victory came as a freshman Councilmember when she brokered a deal that established the Fund for Children during the new sports stadium negotiations in 2000. Consequently, the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
and Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
will donate $1 million per team per year for 30 years, yielding more than $60 million to help children in Philadelphia.
Her other accomplishments include a “Green Building” bill requiring City owned construction to meet high environmental standards, overhauling the Philadelphia Parks and Recreation system by merging Fairmount Park
Fairmount Park
Fairmount Park is the municipal park system of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It consists of 63 parks, with , all overseen by the Philadelphia Department of Parks and Recreation, successor to the Fairmount Park Commission in 2010.-Fairmount Park proper:...
with the Philadelphia Department of Recreation, defending the City’s “Percent for Art” program, and instituting the Special Committee on Gender Parity and Working Women.
In 2007, Reynolds Brown and Congressman Fattah created the “Groceries for Guns” buyback program that provided $200 in grocery tokens in exchange for firearms. The program is credited with removing over 1,000 guns of the streets of Philadelphia.
In 2008, she authored legislation requiring chain restaurants with 15 or more locations nationwide to label menus with nutritional information, the most comprehensive menu labeling bill in the country. The bill requires the listing of fat, sodium and sugar in addition to calories.
Committee assignments
Brown is a member of the following City Council committees:- Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs (Chair)
- Commerce and Economic Development (Vice-Chair)
- Disabled and Handicapped (Vice-Chair)
- Education (Vice-Chair)
- Environment
- Ethics
- Finance
- Fiscal Stability
- Health & Human Services
- Legislative Oversight
- License and Inspections
- Rules
- Whole
Community involvement
Since 1999, Reynolds Brown has become an honorary mentor to thousands of women and girls through her signature program, The Celebration of Moxie Women, on the occasion of Women's History MonthWomen's History Month
Women's History Month is an annual declared month worldwide that highlights contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society. March has been set aside as this month in the United Kingdom and in the United States...
in March. Through this program, Reynolds Brown has honored hundreds of successful business and professional women, working mothers, and Philadelphia’s “Next Generation of Female Leaders: Rising Stars”.
Reynolds Brown serves on the board of directors of the following community organizations:
- Philadelphia Convention and Visitor’s Bureau
- The Marian Anderson Award
- The African American Museum of Philadelphia
- Philadelphia Young Playwrights
- City YearCity YearCity Year is an education-focused nonprofit organization that partners with public schools to provide full-time targeted intervention keeping students in school and on track to graduate...
Greater Philadelphia - Please Touch MuseumPlease Touch MuseumThe Please Touch Museum is a children's museum located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. The museum focuses on teaching children through interactive exhibits and special events, mostly aimed at children seven years old and younger.-History:...
- The Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance
Additionally, she is a member of the following :
- Philadelphia Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma ThetaDelta Sigma ThetaDelta Sigma Theta is a non-profit Greek-lettered sorority of college-educated women who perform public service and place emphasis on the African American community. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority was founded on January 13, 1913 by twenty-two collegiate women at Howard University...
sorority. - National League of CitiesNational League of CitiesThe National League of Cities is an American advocacy organization representing 19,000 cities, towns, and villages, and encompassing 49 state municipal leagues....
– Children, Youth, & Families Division - Pinn Memorial Baptist Church in West Philadelphia
- Coalition of 100 Black Women, Pennsylvania Chapter
Reynolds Brown has been recognized with the following awards and distinctions :
- Women of Distinction Award – Philadelphia Business JournalPhiladelphia Business JournalThe Philadelphia Business Journal is a weekly business-oriented newspaper published in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is published by the American City Business Journals....
- Women’s History Month Award – PA Commission for Women
- One of Pennsylvania’s most influential women – VOICES
- Hall of Fame Inductee—Philadelphia High School for GirlsPhiladelphia High School for GirlsThe Philadelphia High School for Girls, also known as Girls' High, is a public university-preparatory magnet high school for girls in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. As its name suggests, the school's enrollment is all female....
- Take the Lead Award--Girl ScoutsGirl Scouts of the USAThe Girl Scouts of the United States of America is a youth organization for girls in the United States and American girls living abroad. It describes itself as "the world's preeminent organization dedicated solely to girls". It was founded by Juliette Gordon Low in 1912 and was organized after Low...
of Southeastern Pennsylvania - Advocate Award—Philadelphia Young Playwrights