Thursday afternoon, November 11, Democratic representatives elected State Representative of the 191st Legislative District as their new Democratic Leader in the Pennsylvania House.
“I acknowledge the extraordinary responsibility of being entrusted with the faith and support of my fellow House Democrats to lead our caucus through the next two years,” the active Southwest Philadelphia native related in her press release. “During this session, we will continue to confront the daunting tasks set before us.”
Rep. McClinton then listed the top priorities for the state Democratic party: Overcoming the COVID pandemic; the rebuilding and revitalization of our economy; and the basic need for fair representation for Pennsylvanians through the redistricting process.
“Being the first woman and the first woman of color to be selected as the Democratic Leader here in the Commonwealth brings with it a sense of pride and accomplishment,” Rep. McClinton reflected. “ Not just for myself, but for everyone who has strived and struggled to break through previously unbroken barriers.”
Rep. McClinton is fresh from country-wide recognition as winner of a “2020 Woman of Excellence Award” given by the National Foundation of Women Legislators. The NFWL singled out 31 women in elected offices at all levels for this signal honor.
“Today, I am reminded of my 89-year old granny who was born in segregated North Carolina, denied basic human services because of the color of her skin, and was unable to vote until after the Voting Rights Act of 1965. For her to now see her granddaughter rise to be the first Black woman to occupy this office is a testament to the progress that is possible when we never relent from the work of bending the long arc of the moral universe towards justice and equality,” she wrote.
(Information for this article from releases from Rep. McClinton’s office this week)
