City of Philadelphia - File #: 250823

• File #: 250823
• Version: 0
• Type: Resolution
• Status: IN COUNCIL - FINAL PASSAGE
• File created: 9/25/2025
• In control: CITY COUNCIL
• Title: Renaming the 1600 block of Ellsworth Street "Margaret E. Wallace Way" to honor Margaret "Mom" Wallace for her lifelong dedication and service to the South Philadelphia community.
• Sponsors: Council President Johnson, Councilmember Bass, Councilmember Phillips, Councilmember Gauthier, Councilmember Jones, Councilmember Landau, Councilmember Lozada, Councilmember Young, Councilmember Brooks, Councilmember Harrity, Councilmember O'Rourke, Councilmember Driscoll, Councilmember O'Neill, Councilmember Squilla, Councilmember Ahmad

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result	Tally
9/25/2025	0	CITY COUNCIL	Introduced and Ordered Placed On Next Week's Final Passage Calendar

Title
Renaming the 1600 block of Ellsworth Street "Margaret E. Wallace Way" to honor Margaret "Mom" Wallace for her lifelong dedication and service to the South Philadelphia community.

Body
WHEREAS, Margaret Ellen Wallace was born on December 17, 1944, in South Philadelphia, where she became affectionately known as "Mom Wallace" for her warm presence and generous heart; and

WHEREAS, She received her education in Philadelphia's Public School System, graduated from Bok Vocational High School in 1962 and enjoyed a successful career with the School District of Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, Shortly after beginning her career, she met Ronald Wallace Sr., with whom she started a family and devoted herself for the rest of her life; and

WHEREAS, Outside of work, Mom Wallace centered her life around family and friends, who described her as the epitome of class, elegance, and the life of the party; and

WHEREAS, Mom Wallace raised six children Ronald Jr., Reggie, Kevin, Kenneth, Michael, and Denis, she also extended her love beyond her family to many others in South Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, Margaret's family and community will remember for her generosity, and support she provided as a block captain, often giving away hundreds of bookbags to South Philadelphia youth; and

WHEREAS, Mom Wallace was a proud grandmother to 15 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren and made every effort to support them; and

WHEREAS, In addition to uniting people, Mom Wallace enjoyed parties, concerts, travel, and singing and dancing to her favorite singer, Gladys Knight; and

WHEREAS, On September 2, 2023, Margaret "Mom" Wallace passed away, surrounded by her beloved family; and

WHEREAS, Throughout her life, Mom Wallace left a legacy of love, family, and faith in South Philadelphia, touching countless lives; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby renames the 1600 block of Ellsworth "Margaret E. Wallace Way" to honor Margaret "Mom" Wa...