Some of the 13 women honored with a City Council resolution on March 8, International Women’s Day. Photo courtesy of the Office of Councilmember Jamie Gauthier.

In honor of International Women’s Day, celebrated on March 8, City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier introduced and passed a City Council resolution honoring 13 West and Southwest Philadelphia women working to make their communities joyful and safe places to live.

The list included:

Tanja Carter – A community activist in Mill Creek, a block captain, and the founder of It Takes a Village of Helping Hands, a community organization which improves and empowers neighbors by hosting events, beautifying alleys, city streets, and parks, and more.

Callalily Cousar – The President of the East Parkside Residence Assistance (ERPA). In this role, she has established a playground, created a food cupboard, hosted block parties, health fairs, Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, and tax and resume workshops.

Constance Harris Crews – The President of the Kingsessing Recreation Center Advisory Council, a block captain, a committeeperson, the co-commissioner of the Jayhawks Basketball Program, and the Program Liaison for the Jayhawks 1975 Youth Association.

Terrilyn Donnell – The executive director of Community of Compassion CDC, and Chief of Staff at the Church of Christian Compassion.

Bettye Ferguson – The president of the Belmont Alliance Civic Association CDC (BACA-CDC), which serves no and low-income youth and their families.

Rachel Honore – The founder of Literacy and More, which provides educational resources and connects families with quality education centers.

Cheryl Jackson – The leader of the Concerned Block Captains of West and Southwest Philadelphia and a member of Philadelphia More Beautiful.

Edie Owens-Hightower – The founder of Partners for Success, a community building organization in Kingsessing. She is also a member of the Kingsessing Recreation Center Advisory Board and a Committeeperson for the 2nd Division in the 51st Ward.

Tammy Pullins – The executive director of Bread for Life, a ministry of the Transfiguration Baptist Church that provides hot meals to residents in Mantua.

Tamara N. Staley – The president and CEO of the Philadelphia Juneteenth Family Inc., which organizes and brings awareness to Black History events.

Lorraine Thomas – The operations manager for Southwest CDC. She is also serving serving as a Committeeperson for the 8th Division in the 51st Ward, and on the Neighborhood Advisory Subcommittee.

Kendra Van de Water – The executive director of Youth Empowerment for Advancement Hangout (YEAH Philly), which creates safe hangout spaces for teens and young adults in West and Southwest Philadelphia.

Doreen Waller – A community activist, the creator of the Garden of Unity at 56th and Chester.

Text of the full resolution is available here.