< Previous18 | TALK MAGAZINE • WINTER 2021 SENATOR HARDY WILLIAMS 1931-2010 Williams, a Philadelphia native, was born April 14, 1931. After graduation from West Philadelphia High School, Williams first entered Cheyney University then transferred to Pennsylvania State University. The first African-American bas- ketball player in the University’s 61-year history, Williams later became team captain and led Penn State to its first tournament championship in 32 years. A scholar-ath- lete, he was also president of the Pre-Legal Society and secretary-treasurer of the Athletic Association. Returning to Philadelphia, Williams enrolled in the University of Pennsylvania Law School, where he was elected to the honor society and earned his LL.D. Williams was elected to the Pennsylva- nia State Legislature in 1968 and began his first term as a state representa- tive in 1969. Williams was re-elected to six House terms until 1982, when he ran successfully as an independent Democrat for state senator. In the Senate, Williams was the minority chairman of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee and the chairman of a taskforce on violence as a public health concern. He retired from the Pennsylvania Senate in 1998, replaced by his son Anthony Hardy Williams. Williams has another son Clifford, two daughters Lisa and Lanna, and several grandchildren. Senator Williams died January 7, 2010 in Philadelphia. LOUIS E. WALLER 1928-2009 Louis Edward Waller, son of Louis T. and Hattie Davis Waller was born September 10, 1928, in Marianna and died in Washington, PA February 20, 2009. Mr. Waller was a graduate of Washington High School, he attended Carl- isle Business School and the University of Pittsburgh and received an associate degree from Dean Tech. On July 10, 1954, he married Shirley James of Buffalo, New York, and were blessed with 3 children. In 1948, Mr. Waller was honorably discharged from the United States Army, where he served as administrator of company funds to all military units of Pennsylvania. Before founding Waller Corporation in 1986, Mr. Waller was president of McAnallen Corporation (1963-1986), worked in estimating and sales of steel fabricated products for Plasteel Products Corporation (1953 – 1963), and was a draftsman for Steel City Engineering Company (1950 – 1953). He was a member and former dea- con and trustee of Nazareth Baptist Church. In 1964, he was the recipient of the Layman of the Year Award presented by the church. Mr. Waller was the author of the series “The American Negro,” which was published by the Observer-Reporter. At the time of his death, Mr. Waller was serving as chairman of Washington County Board of Real Estate Appeals; vice chair- man of Waynesburg College Trustees; vice chairman of Washington County Council of Economic Development; president of Washington County Community Foundation; president of Minority Contractors Association – Black Contractors Association. YESTERDAY'S BLACK HISTORY MAKERS RONALD A. STEELE 1954-2004 Ronald A. Steele was born on May 6, 1954 in Erie, a son of Cornelia and the late Hugh Steele. Ron graduated from Strong Vincent High School in 1972 and received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology from the University of Pitts- burgh in 1977. Mr. Steele was the Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Erie Community Action Committee (GECAC). He began his service at GECAC in 1985 as a member of the Board of Directors. He served as the Chairman of the GECAC Board of Directors from 1998 to 2004 when he accepted the position as C.E.O. in 2004. From 1980 to 1994, Mr. Steele served as a Juvenile Probation Officer, in 1994, Mr. Steele was hired as the first minority Public Defender Detective in Erie County. He was the recipient of numerous recognitions including the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Hall of Fame Award in 1985, Erie County Bar Association "Liberty Bell" Award in 2000, a Congressional Certification of Recognition in 2001 by Congressman Phil English and the Edinboro Uni- versity of Pennsylvania's Martin Luther King Award in 2007, as well as nu- merous other recognitions. Ron was very caring and compassionate which was evident by the work he did in the Erie Community. He loved helping people of all ages. Ron loved to golf and was a member of the Brothers Linked Together Golf League and was an avid San Francisco 49ers fan. 18 | TALK MAGAZINE • WINTER 2021 CLIFTON P. PITTS 1943-2020 Luther J. Sewell and Roxanne Sewell want to express our personal sadness at the loss of our dear friend Clifton “Cliff” Pitts. The loss is felt through- out the Mon-Valley and across the state for this determined, fearless civil rights fighter we lost on November 23, 2020 to COVID-19. His “God daugh- ter” Lena Byron-Henderson wrote a loving and endearing message to him that says in part, “He was a man who had the heartbeat of the community in his hands. She continues He could effortlessly organize young, old, Black, White, rich and poor people to advance a cause which he believed would benefit the interest of his community. I witnessed him move mountains with a phone call…he dedicated his life to using his experience, connections and leadership skills to help anyone he could. He can never be replaced.” At the time of his death, Cliff was the Chairman of the Mon Valley People’s Action Committee. He previously served as president of the Duquesne/West Miff- lin NAACP, the Concerned Citizens organization and the Western PA Black Political Assembly. He worked for 21 years as Director of Job Replacement for Allegheny County, the Director of the Mon-Yough Action Program and Director of the Help Initiate Pride program. “Clifton is one of those people that is not just a statistic, “Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald said during a news conference. He is someone who touched a lot of lives and is going to be sorely missed.” Cliff was born on December 25, 1943 in Pittsburgh to the late Heywood and Sarah Bloss-Pitts. He grew up in Duquesne and graduated to Duquesne Senior High School. He was married to Barbara Scott Pitts and was the father of 2 children. Waikinya Clanton came from Washington, D.C. to Connecticut to learn how to win votes. “I never really questioned it or thought I can’t do this because I’m a woman,” Clanton told theGrio in a recent interview. “The reason why I’m interested in running for office is because there is a need.” At the Women’s Campaign School at Yale University, she’s in good com- pany. This summer, the intensive one-week training program brought together 80 promising women leaders from all political backgrounds for 12-16 hours a day, teaching them necessary skills to run successful political campaigns. They practiced announcement speeches, tallied campaign budgets and learned how to conduct research polls. “People are thirsting for something different and they’re thirsting for something more,” Clanton says intently. The 31-year-old political organizer dreams of becoming mayor of her hometown in Canton, Mississippi. “And I want to be the person who’s able to actually do that.” Although women comprise half of the United States’ population, women hold just 19 percent of seats (84 out of 435 seats) in the United States House of Representatives and 21 of 100 seats in the Senate. For black women, the numbers are even smaller: Just 20 currently have seats in the House of Representatives. On a local level, black women are still working to break ceilings – only recently becoming the ‘first black women’ mayors of cities like Rochester (Lovely Warren), San Antonio (Ivy Taylor) and Teaneck, NJ (Lizette Park- er). In 2013, Aja Brown became the first female mayor and youngest mayor of Compton, CA, winning by a landslide. In the nation’s 100 largest cities, there are three African American wom- en mayors— Muriel Bowser of Washington, D.C., Paula Hicks-Hudson of Toledo, OH, and Catherine Pugh of Baltimore, preceded by Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, who is also African-American. “For the women that may be involved in the PTA and never thought about running, this is for her.” Not one state has ever elected an African-American woman governor. “If our government doesn’t look like the people it’s supposed to represent, that means there are a ton of voices, perspectives, issues, challenges that certain communities are facing that don’t have a voice,” says Jenn Addison, a staff member at She Should Run, a non-partisan, non-profit that aims to expand the pipeline of women who are considering a run. “That is one reason why it is so crucial for women to run for office.” Programs like the Women’s Campaign School, Emily’s List, and Vote Run Lead, are all working, not only to recruit and train more women to run, but also to ensure that they win. Since the election of Donald Trump, these training groups say they have seen a surge in interest. The Sunday following his inauguration brought hundreds of thousands of women protesters to the forefront. Emily’s List recently held a candidate training in Miami, announcing more than 15,000 women have reached out to them to run for office, a significant increase from last year. This spring, She Should Run reported a 250 percent increase in collective social media growth, citing women signing up for things such as network- ing opportunities and online courses. “There are a whole range of women who have never been encouraged to lead who should think about running for office,” Addison says. “Consider taking a step back and saying, ‘Hey look at all the ways I already lean in, in my commu- nity, at my child’s school, at work.’ For the women that may be involved in the PTA and never thought about running, this is for her.” Jasmine Sadat, 29, another Women’s Campaign School attendee who aspires to be the first black female mayor of Philadelphia, says the results of November’s presidential election only added fuel to her fire. “[Hillary Clinton] lost on a national level twice,” Sadat says. “If she can do that and pick herself up…I can do that. We live in communities where black women are leading households, becoming more educated, so quite naturally you’re going to need a legislative body to reflect their constituency. You’ve got to put yourself out there. If not me then there will be somebody else.” “You’ve got to put yourself out there. If not me then there will be somebody else.” Despite the significant gender gap between men and women seriously considering a run for office, a new survey report by American University found that Donald Trump’s win has sparked a notable increase in political engagement among young Democrats like Sadatsince November. But American University’s findings and other research has shown wom- en’s self-assessments of whether they’re qualified to run for office, often stop them from going for their political dreams. Perhaps that’s why when Stacey Abrams announced her run for Gover- nor of Georgia this month, the nation paid attention. In 2007, Abrams became the first ever woman leader in the Georgia 20 | TALK MAGAZINE • WINTER 2021 by Natasha S. Alford Black women are running for office and it’s just what America needsGeneral Assembly and the first black person to lead in the Georgia House of Representatives. If she wins next year, Abrams, a 43-year-old Spelman and Yale Law School graduate, would break another glass ceiling by becoming the first black woman governor in all of U.S. History. Despite her credentials and previ- ous wins, there were people who told her to hold off. “I think for a number of women the issue is indeed feeling that you aren’t qualified to run until someone validates you and asks you to run,” Abrams told theGrio in an exclusive interview. “I will tell you that my issue is often the inverse.” Abrams said people have discour- aged her from running for office out of “concern” her race or gender would prevent her from winning. “I think for women of color, it’s not only being ready to run but it’s also feel- ing the pressure not to run because we’re often told it’s not our turn,” Abrams adds. “That’s the issue [we] have to be most aware of and push back against the hardest.” “We’re often told it’s not our turn. That’s the issue [we] have to be most aware of and push back against the hardest.” Abrams encourages black women to attend training programs like the Women’s Campaign School at Yale and learn by doing. “Before I ran for office, I worked on other campaigns,” she says. “That’s important for two reasons: One it helps you see what you should do. And it also teaches you very up close and personal what you should never do.” “Understand you have to have your affairs in order,” says Stefanie Brown James, Co-founder and Senior Ad- visor of The Collective PAC, a political action committee specifically targeting Afri- can-American candidates to run for office. “Understand rules. Because people get stuck when they don’t know election rules in our community.” The group held its first “Black Campaign School” training at Howard Uni- versity last month to help newcomers do just that. The kickoff event featured three black women headliners: Rep. Stacey Abrams, politi- cal strategist Donna Brazile and Shavonda Sumter of the New Jersey General Assem- bly. Brown James, who also served as National African American Vote Director for the Obama for America Campaign, says while some challenges are unique to women, others are universal. “The number one thing they need isn’t much different than men- and that’s the financial backing and support, which is why we are so focused on fund- ing,” James says. Money is a repeated theme that emerges in trainings and conversa- tions with women candidates and politicians alike. According to recent U.S. Census data, women earn roughly 80 cents for every dollar that men earn. For black women, the number is even lower – 63 cents. It turns out that these numbers have political ramifications as well. “One of the largest impediments for women running for office, partic- ularly women of color is the ability to raise money,” Abrams says. “We don’t believe we can because we rarely see folks who do. But as I tell folks, especially women, you’re not asking for yourself.” “Your job is to ask people to invest in your vision and your value,” she adds. “That’s why you’re raising money. And that’s why you should expect them to give it to you.“ “When men do it, it’s strong, ‘Look at that strong leader.’ But when a woman does it, it’s like, ‘Oh she needs a dose of humility.'” But even when a black woman has conviction and training to run, the confidence to speak and the ability to bring in big donations, the realities of gender and race are still at the forefront. Just ask Tishaura Jones, Treasurer of St. Louis, who lost her bid for Mayor by less than 888 votes. She was part of a crowded primary race that included three other black male candidates- one of the reasons some speculated she lost. Jones made national headlines after refusing to meet with her city news- paper’s editorial board, slamming them in her own editorial for critical coverage and “thinly veiled racism.” After she lost the mayoral race, the paper both praised her efforts and suggested next time she ran, she could benefit from a “dose of humility.” Jones says her outspokenness wouldn’t have been perceived as arrogance if she were a man. “When men do it, it’s strong, ‘Look at that strong leader.’ But when a wom- an does it, it’s like, ‘Oh she needs a dose of humility.’ And she’s the B-word,” Jones told theGrio. continued on page 28 WWW.TALKMAGAZINEONLINE.COM | 21 One of the largest impediments for women running for office, particularly women of color is the ability to raise money22 | TALK MAGAZINE • WINTER 2021 Alma Speed Fox is an icon, considered the mother of Pittsburgh’s civil rights movement and among the region’s first African American feminist leaders. by Tené Croom Profile of Alma Speed Fox She became active with the Pittsburgh Branch NAACP beginning in the 1950’s and took part in numerous protests demanding scores of companies including U.S. Steel, Duquesne Light Company and Sears to provide Black people with job opportunities, among other things. "God, family and the NAACP. That's my life,” Fox, now 98-years-old, told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in 2009 when the organization was recognizing its centennial. "There were demonstrations every week at some corporation, department store, brewery or government building." She first joined the NAACP in Cleveland, Ohio, her hometown, when she was 13-years-old. The savvy advocate for equal rights would serve as Executive Director of the Pittsburgh NAACP, the nation’s oldest civil rights group, from 1966 until 1971. Fox talked about her activism during a Martin Luther King Day ceremony, “I’m quite proud to be a part of the movement,” she told everyone gathered at Central Baptist Church in Pittsburgh’s historic Hill District. “I grew up in an atmosphere that was discriminatory, but I didn’t realize it.” Fox on the Pittsburgh Human Relations Commission for more than 30 years and a former National Organization for Women (NOW) board member is elated to see Kamala Harris make history becoming the first Black, first female and first Asian-American Vice President of the United States. “I think it’s wonderful. She relates to everyone. I think it’s a perfect example of what we should be seeing,” Fox, co- founder in 1968 of Freedom Unlimited, a social services organization, declared. Her activism with NOW, the largest organization of feminist activists in the U.S. was chronicled through an oral history and multimedia project entitled In Sisterhood: the Women’s Movement in Pittsburgh. She recounts how she first got involved with NOW in 1968 when the NAACP had a big demonstration against Sears and people from NOW came to their protest meetings and were on picket lines with them and bought NAACP memberships. However, she admits to initially not being that enthusiastic to getting involved with the feminist group. “They asked me if I would join NOW. I said no. I said I have one revolution going now. I don’t need another. Not thinking about these many White women who were poor and who were being discriminated against. Not only that I wasn’t thinking about Black women who were poor and being discriminated against,” she said. Fox would go on to become a longtime vocal and pivotal member of Pittsburgh NOW, then just a year old, one of only three chapters in the country. The nonagenarian has received a number of notable and prestigious honors. She received the esteemed Key to the City of Pittsburgh in 2018 during a ceremony held by Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto. “When we thought about who would be the first woman we would recognize for this honor it became abundantly clear. Somebody who has dedicated seven decades of her life to fighting for civil justice. Somebody who took the courageous stances back in the 1950’s and the 1960’s to forever change Pittsburgh and this country. Somebody who is not afraid to do the hard work,” the Mayor said when presenting Fox with the key to the city during a packed ceremony. The event was held on October 23, 2018 a few weeks away from Tuesday, November 6, Election Day. Fox had a special way to encourage voters to go to the polls for the midterms. “I’m going to use my key to open wide whatever door there is to help me get voters to the polls on Tuesday. That’s what I’ll be doing for the next two weeks. Making sure voters get out and vote. I hope that’s what you’ll be doing,” she told her family and friends who were crowded in the mayor’s conference room. The award marks the fourth time Peduto has recognized someone with a key to the city — and the first time he's given the honor to a woman. Fox is among the New Pittsburgh Courier’s 2014 Legacy Award winners and in 2007, Pennsylvania NOW bestowed upon her their Wilma Scott Heide Pioneer Feminist Award for her pioneering work to advance equal rights for both Blacks and women. She came to the City of Bridges in 1949 to marry the love of her life, Gerald Fox. Sadly, he passed away in 2013. Myneca Y. Ojo • Director, Office of Diversity & Inclusion 717.831.7333 • mojo@paturnpike.com FOR JOB OPPORTUNITIES & INTERNSHIPS: www.paturnpike.com/yourTurnpike/employment.aspx FOR BUSINESS & CONTRACTING OPPORTUNITIES: www.paturnpike.com/business/business _ supplier _ diversity.aspx WORKFORCE PLANNING BUSINESS & SUPPLIER DIVERSITY CEO INTERN FELLOWS PROGRAM FOR DIVERSE GROUPS COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION & CULTURAL AWARENESS DRIVING Diversity & Inclusion THROUGH Commitment & Opportunity 22 | TALK MAGAZINE • WINTER 2021 State Rep. Ed Gainey launched a bid to chal- lenge Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto’s re-election issuing an emailed statement that said he was running “because I know that the working people of Pittsburgh need opportunities for good union jobs with a living wage and benefits, affordable housing, genuine public safety, and a city where we can all belong and contribute.” Gainey has a deep background in local government, having worked on community development for former Mayors Tom Murphy and Luke Ravenstahl prior to being elected to represent the 24th state House District – which is centered on largely Black East End neighbor- hoods – in 2012. If he were to win, he would be the city's first Black mayor. Gainey’s statement did not mention Peduto by name, though it did say the city “deserves a mayor who will fight with all they’ve got to see the vision through. I’m ready for that fight, and as the next Mayor of the city of Pittsburgh, I’ll be a Mayor for all of us.” Still, while the timing of Gainey’s announce- ment – one day before the Presidential inaugura- tion – caught some off-guard, the news came as little surprise. Rumors that Gainey would run have been circulating since last fall. And he will likely find support from progressives who have been frustrated by the city’s slow pace of change on crucial issues like affordable housing and police reform. “A lot of politicians talk the talk but don’t walk the walk,” said Bethany Hallam, an Allegheny County Councilor and progressive standard-bearer who is on Gainey’s campaign committee. “Since the first day I met Ed, he’s been the opposite: If he says he will be there, he’s there. And what people need more than anything is a mayor who will show up for them regardless of who they are.” She cited policing as an example. Like cities across the country, Pittsburgh was the site of numerous protests demanding police reform this summer. And while most proceeded without incident, Peduto has been heavily criticized for the police use of crowd-control weaponry and mass arrests at some demonstrations. “I think there was a unique opportunity for leaders to emerge in the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests,” Hallam said. Citing Gainey's support of Democratic bills seeking reforms by Chris Potter State Rep. Ed Gainey To Challenge Peduto In Mayoral Race WWW.TALKMAGAZINEONLINE.COM | 23 continued on page 28Sydney Barber In the U.S. Naval Academy’s 175 years of history, there has never been a leader of color, none less one who was female. Out of 41 senior commanders in the military, which are four star ranks in the Air Force, Ma- rines, Coast Guards, Navy, and the Army, only two have been African American. The presence of African Americans in spaces of leadership has been very minimal. Even though women have been able to study at the U.S. Naval Academy since 1976, African Americans have had difficulty in breaking through in large numbers in the military. With only approx. 43% of 1.3 million men and women on active duty in the U.S. military being people of color, representation has been low since the integration of the armed forces post WWII. With this in mind, the historical impact that women like Sydney Barber have had on the Afri- can American community becomes magnified. Sydney Barber holds rank not only as a Midshipman 1st Class, but also as the First Black woman to serve as a Brigade Commander at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. Growing up in Lake Forest, Ill., Sydney Barber always had a desire to work in spaces where she could give back. Her love for helping others increased her desire to serve as a missionary. Throughout her time in high school, she also participated in track and field. Her skills in track came as no surprise as her father, a Naval Acade- my graduate himself, was a successful basketball player during his tenure in the Navy. Running cross country at her high school, Lake Forest High School, she made history early on through her record breaking 4 x 400 relay success her senior year, breaking the record for her school in relay races. As a child of a Navy man, her aspirations were never to become a part of this space, but her track skills, love of service and desire to receive a good education lead her towards a Naval Academy tour her junior year of high school. She decided this route would not only allow her to pursue her track and field skills, but to also provide a perfect platform to serve on a global level. She entered the Naval Academy as a mechanical engineering major. During her time in the Naval Academy, she has participated in the Navy Women’s Varsity Track and Field team, obtaining varsity letters within her first three years, and serving as leadership for the Navy Fellowship of Christian Athletes Club. Barber now joins the ranks of women serving as Brigade Commander, becoming the 16th female in this rank within the 44 years since Con- gress allowed for women to enroll in the service academic world. The first woman, Juliane Gallina, served in 1991. Juliane Gallina’s historical mark for female high-ranking leadership comes 11 years after the first black woman, Janie Mines, graduated from the Naval Academy. For Barber, this momentous occasion is not lost on her. Her position in every interview and article pinpoints her sense of responsibility and acknowledgement in paving the way, as so many women and African Americans have done before her. Juliane Gallina retired never being able to operate warplanes as that was prohibited for women. Since then, women like Barber have been able to push the envelope. Barber now leads approx. 4,500 midshipmen, ensuring the daily activities are completed, providing professional training to her team, and continuing to reshape the oppor- tunities for women of color in hopes of shattering the limitations held in the Annapolis school’s 175-year history. In 1925, Army Officers Guidance noted that Black Service members were a class’ from which we cannot expect to draw leadership material’. Barber’s position proves the opposite. She will hold this Midship First Class position until Spring semester when she graduates with her Mechanical Engineering degree. She believes that leadership positions are not something that many Black military men and women are pushed towards, largely due to their specialties. Most Black stu- dents graduating with military careers work within logistics and transport, not combat arm specialties like infantry or artillery. This could be in large because during segregated times, military held only those low-ranking posi- tions for African Americans. Her hopes in moving forward are to continue her work and create space for those who will come after her. Our history has no shortage of firsts. As we experience another historical landmark with an African American Vice President and with Black History Month serving as a time of honoring our leaders, the following women serve as an expansion of our list to consider of African American firsts: by Fiordaliza White PAVING THE WAY: African American Women Pioneers Photo/NYTimes 24 | TALK MAGAZINE • WINTER 2021Sadie T.M. Alexander In the world of systemic racism and social inequities, black economic advancement can pave the way to dismantling many systems that are maintaining disparities in communities of color. Wealth and income, or lack thereof, create many barriers and obstacles. The presence of Black economists is few. Data shows that only 3.2% of Doctoral Degrees in Economics are awarded to African Americans each year, less than half of 1% of economic papers explicitly address race/ ethnicity and, according to the American Economic Association identifies more than 52% of Black economists say they’ve experienced instances of discrimination. In a space where discrimination and obstacles prevent us from fully realizing our economic potential for wealth and prosperity, the role of Black Economists becomes critical. America’s first Black economist, Sadie T.M. Alexander, was the youngest of three children. Born in Philadelphia in 1898, she was born into a family of scholars. Her father, Aaron A Mossell was the first African American to graduate from Penn’s Law School. The First African American to graduate from Penn’s Medical School, Aaron A. Mossell, was her uncle. During high school, she lived with another uncle, Lewis Baxter Moore, who was Howard University’s Dean at that time. She graduated from M Street High School, the first high school for black students in Washington D.C. in 1915. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1918 for Education and entered University of Penn Graduate School to study Economics. She became one of the first three black women to obtain a PhD in the United States. In 1924 she became the first African American woman to graduate from the University of Pennsylvania Law School as well as the first black woman to be admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar in 1927. As accomplished as she was in Academia, she was an economist in a pre-Civil Rights period, limiting her ability to fully utilize her capabilities as an economist. Regardless of this, she persisted. From 1928-1930 and 1934- 38 she served as the Assistant City Solicitor for the City of Philadelphia. She was on President Truman’s Committee on Human Rights in 1947 and worked for her husband’s firm from 1927-1959. She opened her own law office in 1959, practicing law for 17 years. President Carter appointed her as the Chair of the White House Conference on Aging in 1978 to 1981, where she retired a year later. Among her accomplishments, she was also Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.’s first National President. She transitioned on November 1, 1989 in Philadelphia, PA. Her legacy lives on through several scholarships. The Sadie Turner Mos- sell Alexander University of PA Partnership School is named after her. They have developed a partnership with the University of PA to provide financial aid towards entrance . The women of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. provide the Sadie T.M. Alexander Award to educated, college level young women who achieve notable academic accomplishments. The National Bar Association, Women Lawyers Division has book scholarships available. The Black Law Student Association at the University of Pennsylvania hold yearly conferences held with African American law students and working legal professionals to honor both her academic and legal professional achieve- ments. Countless other economy driven spaces honor her legacy in hopes of inspiring economists. Sadie T.M. Alexander represents many areas of focus for African American communities. For females, she represents a sense of conquering obstacles placed on females attempting to enter spaces largely reserved for men. For aspiring black scholars, she represents resilience and a strong example of the power of persisting and creating multiple lanes to achieving goals. For our nation, she represented the possibility of progression and an example of what an educated person of color could accomplish if given the opportunity to be their full selves. Her legacy inspires everyone and inspires us to identify the need for black economists in spaces where its importance is minimized or dismissed. The state of Black America and its agenda focus- es largely on ways to achieve economic progress. Women like Sadie T.M. Alexander opened the door to ensuring we have both the academic and professional spaces to do so. Source: https:Blackpast.org Shawna Kimbrell Shawna Kimbrell had aspira- tions of working for NASA, but her attraction to flying jets. Born on April 20, 1976 in Lafayette, Indiana, she had dreams since the age of 6 to fly. The youngest of 4 children to Guyanese par- ents, her parents migrated to the U.S. for educational opportuni- ties. By the Fourth Grade, she had decided to become a fighter pilot. She completed her first flight lesson by 14, joining the Civil Air Patrol and earning her private pilot’s license. She joined the Air Force Academy and graduated in 1998 with a BS in General Engineering. In 1999, she earned her pilot wings and was deployed overseas, posted to the 13th Fighter Squadron in Japan, doing work in Turkey and Saudi Arabia during Operation Northern and Southern watch. During Operation Northern Watch she became the first African American female pilot to employ ordnance in combat. In 2000, she grad- uated from her F-16 training at Luke AFB, making her the first African American female fighter pilot in the United States Air Force. IN 2004, she graduated from the Joint Fire Control Course and was on assignment in the 15th Air Support Operations Squadron, where she was later deployed as the 2nd Brigade Air Liaison Officer to support Operation Iraqi Free- dom. In June 2007, she was in Italy on assignment as Assistant Director of Operations for the 555 Fighter Squadron, and in 2009, she relocated to 6th Combat Training Squadron, where she served as a Course Manager for the Air Liaison Officer Qualification Course. She separated from active duty to the Air Force Reserves in October 2013. Lt Col Kimbrell also holds an MBA from Touro University. Her awards include an Air Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Army Commenda- tion Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and a Korean Defense Service Model. She currently serves as a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Air Force and is stationed at Nellis Air Force Base where she is a member of the 78th Attack Squadron as an MQ-9 Pilot and Mission Commander. Lt. Col Kimbrell had done all those amazing things and broken barriers throughout her career but was largely unaware of her groundbreaking accomplishments while in service. It was not until about 5 years after she returned from being deployed that she realized her accomplishments. Her accomplishments aspired her to mentor others to ensure that others can accomplish just as much. She aspires to mentor families through providing resources and avenues for those who have dreams as she did, to walk in their purpose and bring their dreams to fruition. In a space where women and minorities are not represented, she has set the tone for what Black Excel- lence can look like in the United States Air Force. Citation: "First Black Female Fighter Pilot Follows Childhood Dream – DoDLive". www.dodlive. mil. Retrieved January 17, 2020. Photo/Phillytrib Photo/Aerotechnews WWW.TALKMAGAZINEONLINE.COM | 25 PennDOT illegally utilized a short-cut environmental review process that bypassed mandatory public hearings, ignoring public pleas calling for review of alternatives prior to selecting final design. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP – Erie Unit) and Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future (PennFuture), represented by Earthjustice, filed a lawsuit challenging the Federal Highway Administration’s approval of the Categorical Exclusion for the Erie Bayfront Parkway Project. The decision violates the National Environmental Policy Act, the Administrative Procedure Act, and the Federal Aid Highway Act. PennDOT failed to examine the project’s potentially significant impacts, including harms to water and air quality, which would fall primarily on neighbors living near the road. The lawsuit filed today with the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania seeks a full environmental analysis, as well as ade- quate and documented public review of alternative parkway project designs before expanding the Bayfront Parkway — a major road that runs through Erie’s waterfront. The estimated $70 to $100 million Erie Bayfront Parkway Project was first announced in 2015 with plans that call for better pedestrian access and improved travel along the highway. With aid from federal and state fund- ing, PennDOT and developers are expected to begin construction in 2022. The Erie Bayfront Parkway Project would involve drastic changes to three major intersections in downtown Erie. The law requires PennDOT to hold public hearings on the project to showcase alternative design plans before moving forward. Initially, the project was scheduled for an environmental assessment—a review process that identifies alternatives and evaluates each alternative’s possible harm to residents and the environment. However, this March, PennDOT sought an abbreviated review called a categorical exclusion, which the Federal Highway Administration illegally approved. Categorical exclusions are normally granted for run-of-the mill projects like bridge repair or roadway repaving that stir no public controversy. With PennDOT advancing with a pre-selected design plan, the project fur- ther segments historically marginalized and environmental justice commu- nities that reside within the project area in Erie’s downtown. With 75% of the population in the adjacent neighborhood characterized as low-income, EPA considers the neighborhood an “environmental justice community.” Additionally, census data indicates 54% of the population in the area is non-White, and 26% of the population within the three Census tracts of the project area are Black. “Members of our NAACP unit and generations of Erie bayfront residents have seen similar projects come and go promising improvements that have not been realized for our community. With the Parkway project's clear priorities of attracting conventions and out-of-town visitors, our voice and opinion about the character and needs of the neighborhood are being ignored once again,” said Gary Horton, President of NAACP – Erie Unit. “People live here, and we have lived here since the 1800s when West Erie Bayfront was called New Jerusalem and the current NAACP members’ ancestors settled in the area. We deserve to have the opportunity to comment on the parkway design and to be taken seriously by the entities looking to expand the parkway and increase traffic in our neighborhoods.” PennDOT’s pre-selected project design prioritizes cross-city commuters over the health, safety and bayfront access of downtown residents. The proj- ect expansion is designed to double waterfront traffic with 2-lane round- abouts at Sassafras & Holland Streets with an underpass and “highway-style exits” at State Street. “PennDOT has failed to conduct a thorough evaluation of this project’s impacts on Erie’s valuable environmental resources, including the long term im- pacts on water quality in Mill Creek and Presque Isle Bay. Stormwater runoff is already a major threat to water quality in the Lake Erie watershed. This project will lead to increased traffic and more impervious surface areas, creating more runoff into the Bay, negatively impacting water quality and increasing the potential for flooding,” said Angela Kilbert, a Staff Attorney for PennFuture. “It is vital that we protect Erie’s waterways from the threat of irresponsible development.” Inconsistent with Pennsylvania's Climate Action Plan, the project’s pre-selected design is set to widen the parkway to increase vehicular traffic when the state’s goals are to reduce greenhouse emissions by reducing vehicle miles traveled (VMT). The state’s climate action plan also promotes expanding opportunities for, and incentivizing walking and bicycling. According to the state’s website, Pennsylvania is already in the process of updating its Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan to help set more ambitious programs and policies aimed at replacing single occupancy trips with alter- native transportation modes. Erie residents have protested and expressed their opposition during city council hearings detailing their concern with the project’s design that prioritizes vehicles over pedestrians. PennDOT recently stated across their website and social media platforms that pedestrian improvements will be a part of the first phases of construction on the Bayfront Parkway Project, however, the pre-selected project design remains unchanged. Additionally, PennDOT touts that no area residents will be displaced, while ignoring the worsening segmentation caused by widening the division from downtown Erie residents and the bayfront. “Erie deserves federal funding to improve the bayfront, but that funding should support the pedestrian-focused approach Erie’s comprehensive plan calls for, through a process that evaluates impacts to people and the environment and provides a meaningful opportunity for public input before investment deci- sions are made,” said Jill Witkowski Heaps, Staff Attorney at Earthjustice. “PennDOT is illegally using a short-cut environmental review process meant for non-controversial, routine road projects. The Bayfront Parkway Project is a major overhaul of the Erie Bayfront, so under the law, PennDOT should have analyzed multiple alternatives and held a public hearing seeking public input before making a decision on which design is best for the people of Erie.” According to PennDOT’s environmental review documents, the purpose of the project is to improve the pedestrian, bicycle, transit, and passen- ger vehicle connection of the Erie Central Business District and adjacent neighborhoods to the waterfront property north of the Bayfront Parkway, to reduce crashes as much as practical on the Bayfront Parkway, to improve future congestion to an acceptable level of service or delay, and to improve traffic operations and efficiency. For the reasons listed above and as expressed by hundreds of Erie residents, the lawsuit filed today on behalf of the NAACP - Erie Unit and PennFuture by Earthjustice aims to ensure alternative design options are explicitly presented to the residents of Erie and that proper public input is recorded and considered with great regard in the Erie Bayfront Parkway Project prior to moving ahead with a pre-selected project design. About NAACP – Erie Unit: Founded in 1918, the Erie Unit of the NAACP has been committed to fighting for civil rights and equality in the Erie community. About PennFuture: PennFuture is leading the transition to a clean energy economy in Pennsylvania and beyond. We are protecting our air, water and land, and empowering citizens to build sustainable communities for future generations. About Earthjustice: Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people’s health, to preserve magnificent places and wildlife, to advance clean energy, and to combat climate change. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer. Groups File Lawsuit Challenging Pennsylvania Dept. of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration’s Vehicles-First Erie Bayfront Parkway Project 26 | TALK MAGAZINE • WINTER 2021Next >