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Honoring Diane Richardson, Angela Smith, Nabeehah Parker, Marlene Trice, and Marilyn L. Torres as Heroes of the 9th Council District for their laudable service to the community.
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WHEREAS, Every community is comprised of people who dedicate themselves to the betterment of their neighborhoods. Though they do much work in contributing to their communities, they are often unsung and underappreciated. To honor those who sustain our neighborhoods, the Council of the City of Philadelphia applauds these Heroes of the 9th Council District; and
WHEREAS, Diane Richardson has been affiliated with the 7900 Block of Gilbert Street for 18 years as block captain, and before that as co-captain. The block is known colloquially as the Gilbert 79ers, and it has been an organized block for 23 years and is affiliated as a member of the Philadelphia More Beautiful initiative. The block has been honored several times through both Philadelphia More Beautiful and the Philadelphia Horticultural Society as being one of the most beautiful and clean blocks in the City of Philadelphia. In 2017, Diane gave testimony to City Council regarding the future of Middle Neighborhoods. She is also a Committeeperson and has helped to organize other blocks with either block captains or block contacts. She also started a program throughout the 50th Ward with the goal of educating her neighbors and starting a Ring Program within a several block radius; and
WHEREAS, In addition to being the business owner of Knowledge is Learned LLC, Angela Smith is a Committeeperson, board member on several organizations, and a special events coordinator and liaison to the communities in the 9th District. Her focus is on both youth and seniors alike. She is a grassroots organizer who does not mind getting her hands dirty. She spent 10 years on the Helen B. Sturgis playground construction project and looks forward to expanding programming at Sturgis. She helps organize an annual breast cancer walk at Sturgis (the last Saturday in October); this will be their third year hosting the event for survivors in the community to tell their stories and for supporters to walk through the community in support of the many people still battling cancer. She also helps organize a program called “Priscilla Rose The Little Things” where they “pay it forward” for people who cannot afford to pay for their medications, wigs, meals, and parking when they have to go to chemotherapy and other doctor appointments. For the children in the community, she helps organize free events such as food and toy giveaways, as well as annual events such as Easter egg hunts. Finally, she helps organize clean ups throughout the community; and
WHEREAS, Nabeehah Parker has been a resident of East Oak Lane since 1985. She has been an educator for over four decades, and she has always enjoyed working with youth. She has spent most of her years teaching within the Philadelphia School District - at Bartram Human Services School, J. R. Masterman School, and currently, as Partnership Coordinator at Building 21 High School at Stenton Avenue and Limekiln Pike. Nabeehah’s husband Khalil bin Brown is a fellow lifelong public servant, and he is most well-known for establishing the Islamic Heritage Foundation (IHF), a non-profit organization that has promoted educational and leadership development for youth ages 13 to 25. Nabeehah has been blessed to serve on the Board of the Islamic Heritage Foundation for 30 years. In this role, she has assisted with numerous endeavors to award youth accomplishments through scholarships and awards, and provided opportunities for positive youth development through conferences, recreation, and leadership activities; and
WHEREAS, Marlene Trice is a woman who cares about her Mt. Airy community. She has run the Kitchen of Love food pantry for almost 30 years. Marlene first opened the food pantry in North Philadelphia in the Taylor Memorial Baptist Church, until it closed and she was invited to reopen in the office basement of then-State Representative (and after that, Councilwoman) Cherelle Parker. Kitchen of Love now operates out of the Dorothy Emanuel Recreation Center. Marlene gives out boxes of food to anyone who needs it, with a particular focus on senior citizens. “I don’t turn anyone away,” says Marlene. “If you are standing in my line, you need it. And the weather doesn’t matter. We’re always there.” Marlene is now in her mid-70s, and Kitchen of Love operates as an all-volunteer organization. Kitchen of Love has also organized fundraisers; distributed toys, food, and candy for kids in December; and given away turkeys and food at Thanksgiving time. Marlene has been the recipient of several awards, and was the 2013 recipient of the Andrus Award for Community Service through AARP for her outstanding work in enriching the lives of others; and
WHEREAS, Marilyn L. Torres has been a resident of the Tacony/Tookany-Frankford watershed for twenty years. She works at The Academy of Natural Sciences, where she advocates to ensure that the Academy becomes a more inclusive and accessible institution for the citizens of Philadelphia, especially those who come from underrepresented backgrounds. Through her professional activities, Marilyn became involved with the Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership. As a result, she joined the Board of Directors, where she represents her community, highlighting the importance of providing and protecting neighborhood green spaces; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Does hereby extend its sincere gratitude to Diane Richardson, Angela Smith, Nabeehah Parker, Marlene Trice, and Marilyn L. Torres for their extraordinary service to our community. We wish them success in the days ahead and extend the sincere respect and admiration of this legislative body.
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