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Hereby recognizing October 9th as Charles W. Bowser Day in Philadelphia, in recognition of his lifelong dedication to public service and his significant contributions to the African American community in Philadelphia.
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WHEREAS, Charles Walker Bowser was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Charles A. and Viola Walker Bowser on October 9, 1930. Charles attended Reynolds Elementary School, Vaux Junior High School and Central High School. In 1948, Charles graduated from Central High School with a full athletic scholarship to play football at Temple University. In 1952, Charles graduated from Temple University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Journalism; and
WHEREAS, After graduating in 1952, Charles enlisted in the United States Armed Services and served as an Explosive Disposal Expert from 1952 to 1954 in Korea. After returning from Korea, Charles matriculated into Temple University School of Law, where he graduated in 1957 with his Juris Doctorate; and
WHEREAS, Shortly after graduating law school, Charles met and married Barbara Gertrude Potts following a three-month courtship. They were married for almost 50 years at the time of Barbara's death in 2008 and had three children together, Leslie, Marla and Charles, II; and
WHEREAS, Charles became a successful attorney in Philadelphia with his own practice but never forgot to give back to his community. Charles would sponsor Thanksgiving dinners for the homeless at Mount Olivet Tabernacle Baptist Church. Early in his career, he represented the NAACP, which resulted in the end of the use of "blackface" by marchers in the Mummers Parade; and
WHEREAS, In the 1960s, Charles embarked on his lifelong journey in public service. In 1964, he became the Executive Director of Philadelphia's Anti-Poverty Action Committee. In 1967, he was appointed the first African American Deputy Mayor. In 1968, he became the first Executive Director of the Philadelphia Urban Coalition. Under his leadership, in...
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