March is Women’s History Month, and the contributions of women in and around the City of Philadelphia are too numerous to count. Council President Kenyatta Johnson paid homage to 35 influential women who gathered on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at Philadelphia City Hall for a ceremony honoring Women on the Move.
Council President Kenyatta Johnson has hosted the “Women on the Move Luncheon” for many years to honor women, many of whom, normally, are not in the spotlight. This year, recipients represented a variety of industries, including education, non-profit, community organizing, science, politics, and business, and contributed significantly to the success of Philadelphia and Pennsylvania.
Coming at a time when women’s rights and freedoms are on the precipice of being eliminated, this recognition highlights the groundbreaking achievements women have made and continue to make to our society.
Council President Kenyatta Johnson presented each honoree with a Women on the Move Citation and shared personal introductions, ensuring that each participant understood that people do “see you.” While many times people may not say anything, your work is noticed.
Action News Co-Anchor Sharrie Williams (6ABC), the Keynote Speaker, shared the background of Women’s History Month and emphasized, “This is not a Hallmark card or something to just feel good about, this is not a girly thing, it (Women’s History Month) is hard-earned to make sure that the legacies of women past, present and future are never forgotten.” She also shared that she draws inspiration from her parents and the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, which really resonate on this occasion: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
Among this year’s honorees is Mrs. Inez Turner, who turned 100 years old in February of this year. She grew up on Saint Albans Place Street in President Johnson’s Second Council District in South Philadelphia. At the time, her family was one of the first Black homeowners in the neighborhood. Turner dedicated 36 years to the School District of Philadelphia and has been an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. for over 70 years. As Ms. Turner accepted her citation saying, “I want these men to know that behind them are all these women who have been so responsible for what’s happening to them, we appreciate all that we can do, we’ve tried and we’ve struggled, it’s been a long 101 years for me, and I go a long way, and I know what the women are doing Delta women, AKA women, all women, are out there struggling behind their men and I want to give special thanks to them. Thank you so much!”
The honorees included Amelia Chasse Alcivar, Annette Collier Booker, Bridgette Daniel-Corbin, Carolyn Hood, Cleopatra Robinson, Commissioner Jamila Winder, United States Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA 5th District), Elaine McGuire, Erin Dwyer-Harvard, Inez Turner, Janet Lewis, Jude Husein, Dr. Kayla Johnstone, Karen Hamilton, Kimberly Rollins, Layla Bibi, Leashia Mary Lewis, Leslie Smallwood-Lewis, Leslie Patterson Tyler, Lindsey Scannapieco, Ma’isah Young, Dr. Maya Johnstone, Mia Fioravanti, Mina “Say What” Llon-Brown, Naomi Williams- Carter, Roxy Romeo, Salina N. Pace, Shakeirah Turner, Shania Bennett, Sharrie Williams, Sherri Darden, Sophia Poe, Tamika Ryant, Teila Allmond, and Zainab Jamila Abdur-Rahman.
Congratulations to all of those recognized on this momentous occasion and thank you to Philadelphia City Council President Kenyatta Johnson and his staff for hosting, recognizing, honoring, and celebrating “Women on the Move.”
“Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn’t be that women are the exception.” Ruth Bade Ginsburg
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