During the campaign and in her victory speech on election night, Cherelle Parker emphasized her goal to make Philadelphia the “safest, cleanest, greenest big city in the country.”
Parker will make history as the first woman and first Black woman to lead Philadelphia as its mayor when she is sworn in on Tuesday.
She reflected on her journey from humble beginnings, stating, “It does move me when I think about my very humble beginnings,” in an interview with CBS Philadelphia anchor Ukee Washington before her election.
Speaking at the Simons Recreation Center in West Oak Lane where she was raised, Parker said, “Lots of times, people hear me refer to my upbringing and those outside of my family being a part of my village. And this was a significant part of the village.”
Parker, raised by her grandparents James and Dorothy Parker, overcame challenges to become the first in her family to attend college. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Lincoln University and a master’s from the University of Pennsylvania.
Dedicated to public service, Parker served as a state representative for 10 years before being elected to Philadelphia City Council in 2016, where she ultimately became council majority leader.
Following her election victory in November, Parker quickly began forming her administration. She has pledged to be tough on crime and aims to hire 300 additional foot and bike patrol officers to cover every neighborhood.
She has appointed Adam Geer as the chief public safety director and Kevin Bethel as the new police commissioner. With 30 years of experience in the Philadelphia police force, Bethel most recently served as chief of school safety in the School District of Philadelphia.
Parker, along with city councilmembers, city commissioners, sheriff, register of wills and judiciary, will be sworn into office as part of a Philadelphia City Council session starting at 10 a.m.
SOURCE: cbsnews.com
