I am the State Representative for the 175th District and I am running for my first re-election. I live in Northern Liberties with my husband, two children and my dog. I serve on the Education, Environmental Resources and Energy, Liquor and Urban Affairs committees. I have spent my first term working on education funding and stemming the expansion of charter schools, preventing lead poisoning that is taking place across the Commonwealth, fighting against the climate crisis deniers, tackling the opioid crisis and advocating for women's rights including reproductive access and equal pay, as well as fighting against discrimination in the workplace. I am working to pass the non-discrimination law to protect the LGBTQIA community and I also focus efforts to increase gun control in this Commonwealth. Finally, as an animal lover, I am working to stem the abuses in puppy mills across this Commonwealth. Outside of legislation, I am also committed to bringing state money home for developing the Waterfront as well as improving transportation infrastructure and parks and recreation. Some of my most recently received grants include funding for a trail along the river as well improvements to Independence Mall and increased pedestrian safety initiatives at Reading Terminal Market.

As a member of the Urban Affairs Committee, I have the opportunity to shape policy for all urban areas around the Commonwealth. My district is one of the economic engines of the Commonwealth and one of the most dense geographically. I bring a unique perspective to the discussion in Harrisburg and I am able to advocate for the issues we face that are different than those in more suburban or rural areas. In my freshman year, I have passed two bills out of committee and formed strong relationships within my own delegation, but also across the aisle. Pro-urbanist policies are an urban affairs issue. Pro-urbanist policies are an environmental issue. Pro-urbanist policies are also a social justice and economic development issue. And I am committed to sustaining and growing a coalition that cares about all of these issues as well as the future of the Commonwealth.

My sister and I were raised by a single mom in her hair salon. We watched my mom standing on her feet most days for over 8 hours with very little breaks. We saw her tireless hard work and perseverance. Growing up in a hair salon you also witness the importance of listening.

I was the first person in my family to go to college. I went to Ursinus College—close to home—near my family. After college, I worked in immigration law. The best part of the job was getting a phone call or excited email that a family had arrived and was settled in the United States. I saw the way the law could so vastly impact and improve the lives of individuals and families. That is when I knew I wanted to go to law school.

I went to Temple Law School and then clerked on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. I spent most of my legal career working at a woman-owned law firm. As a full-time attorney, I volunteered on five non-profit boards, such as NLC, a national progressive training organization which is building a pipeline of progressive leaders in Philadelphia, and Philasoup, which gives microgrants to Philadelphia school teachers to fund innovative classroom projects.

I am running for office because I deeply care about people. I believe the government should listen to what people need and then act to make their lives better and happier, and be held accountable if it doesn’t. That is not happening in the 175th District, and I know that we deserve better.

I am the right person to advance the urbanist movement’s goals in our state legislature, because I live these values every day. I walk our streets. I use our public transportation. I have witnessed how bike lanes and other safety precautions have encouraged more bikers on our streets. I will take these experiences with me to Harrisburg to push this agenda forward because it saves lives, protects the working class, and also is imperative to helping us fight climate change.

When it comes down to it, I am running for office because I deeply care about people, and see elected office as a way to implement change and improve the lives of folks in Philadelphia and across the Commonwealth. The implementation of pro-urbanist policies such as expanded, efficient, and accessible public transit, safer roads, et al. line up with this desire of mine to help people. Once elected, I intend to be a vocal advocate for these policies, both here in Philadelphia and across the Commonwealth.