March roared in like a lion and went out like a lion, too, with wet, windy weather welcoming April.
Notwithstanding the wild weather swings, the work continues to build a stronger Philadelphia for every neighborhood; #PhillyMayorThisWeek recaps five recent moments you might’ve missed.
Take four minutes to get updated on your city!
1. The City observed Transgender Day of Visibility.
The world observes March 31 every year as Transgender Day of Visibility. Here in Philadelphia, City Council commemorated the occasion with a resolution honoring the day; a few days later, Director of LGBT Affairs Amber Hikes joined advocates and activists at the raising of the Transgender Pride Flag at City Hall, too. “Today and every day,” Mayor Kenney said, “our city stands with our transgender community. Thank you to City Council for passing a resolution to recognize this day.” Stay updated on the latest news from the Office of LGBT Affairs by following the office on Twitter!
It's Transgender Day of Visibility! Philadelphia stands with our transgender friends and neighbors! "We are committed,…
Posted by City of Philadelphia Government on Friday, March 31, 2017
2. Mayor Kenney visited Lighthouse Family School, a PHLpreK provider.
PNC Bank generously donated iPads and book nooks — little libraries in public spaces — to the PHLpreK provider, and Mayor Kenney thanked PNC for their generosity during his visit. PHLpreK is the City’s no-cost quality pre-K program funded by the Philadelphia Beverage Tax. Learn more about the programs the Philly Bev Tax funds.
Quality #earlyed is a necessity. It's the great equalizer that puts our children, like the pre-K students here today, on the path to success pic.twitter.com/WloLh3DHJb
— Jim Kenney (@PhillyMayor) April 4, 2017
3. On Equal Pay Day, the Mayor argued it was time for women to be paid the same as men.
Equal Pay Day is an annual observance symbolically marking how far into the new year it would take the average woman to catch up to the earnings of the average man from the past year. Currently, women on average make about 82 cents for every dollar a man makes; for women of color, the disparity is even greater. A few days before Equal Pay Day, the Mayor visited the “Telling Our Stories: The State of Women and Girls of Philadelphia” summit, praising both the Philadelphia Commission for Women and women citywide for their work toward progress for everyone.
#EqualPayDay is a reminder of the work we still need to do. Women should be paid the same as men. Period.
Posted by Mayor Jim Kenney on Tuesday, April 4, 2017
4. Mayor Kenney celebrated with airport workers over their decision to form a union.
Recently, Philadelphia International Airport subcontractors’ workers decided to unionize. This week, Mayor Kenney joined workers and representatives from SEIU to celebrated the decision. “This is a proud moment for our city,” the Mayor declared. “Now the people who work hard to keep our airport running are one step closer to the good jobs they deserve.”
This is a proud moment for our city. Now, the people who work hard to keep our airport running are one step closer to good jobs they deserve pic.twitter.com/rxRn3O05jt
— Jim Kenney (@PhillyMayor) April 6, 2017
5. The Mayor congratulated North Philadelphia’s Dawn Staley on her team’s NCAA championship victory.
A native of North Philadelphia — and world class athlete in her own right — Dawn Staley coaches the South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball team, which recently triumphed in the NCAA championship over Mississipppi State. Previously, Staley coached at Temple University. At Dobbins CTE High School, the Mayor honored Staley and her homegrown tenacity — and the hope she gives all Philadelphians. “Despite all of her success,” the Mayor observed, “Dawn Staley remains humble, gracious, and never forgets where she came from.”
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