Freshman State Representative, Regina Young on a roll working smart for her district

There is quite a bit of new leadership in Philadelphia, mixed in with some longtime leadership. Together, listening to each other, working together, and partnering on concerns and issues. I think that is part of the ingredients needed to rebuild our city. By “Rebuild our city,” I mean, addressing the violence on our streets, dealing with the disparities in health care, housing, education, job opportunities, and more.
One of the newly elected officials that I am referring to is PA State Representative Regina Young. When she first announced she was going to run for a seat that had been held by a political family (the Donatucci’s), for years, I think some folks thought she did not have a snowball’s chance in hell, so they paid next to no attention to her candidacy. I think some folks also thought because we were in the middle of a pandemic, who would really come out to vote? So the seat held by the incumbent PA State Representative Maria Donatucci was safe. Right? Wrong.
Regina Young didn’t have a bank account full of campaign money, or a ballroom full of volunteers, or cases full of literature to hand out. She did have her college education, along with her long-running community organizing and community engagement background, imagination, grit, savvy, lots of brains, and a determination to win. Then on November 3, 2020, that is exactly what she did. In fact, after the June Primary Election in Pennsylvania, Young was a “shoe-in,” for the seat.
Fast forward to April 2021. This freshman State Legislator is living up to the job of what a lawmaker is supposed to be doing. She has just a little over 90-days in office. That’s not Thera talking. That’s what constituents in her district are saying, who have spoken to me.
Representative Young outlined just some of what she has been doing since she got sworn in, in January of this year. “I am laser-focused on making sure that we are keeping the youth, their mental, emotional and physical health in mind as we are still helping them to prepare for their academic success. We have to make sure our students get equipped with all the resources that they need to succeed. Should they go to a college or a trade school, whichever they choose, we need to prepare our children and let them know they have options. They also need to have sustainable life skills. I believe that connecting school-age students with trades is valuable. Also, aligning them with programs that are teaching them some skills is important. “
The district that Rep. Young represents is most definitely multicultural. There is a high population of immigrants in the district, and people need solutions, says Young. “This is legislation in real-time, and I am always going to depend on my partners, my faith-based partners, my community partners, my residential partners. Some of the areas of my district are the poorest in the city. Those areas need the most help. Together we can do so much more. These times we are living through require all hands on deck.”
Starting her legislative career in the midst of a pandemic for Young has not been as hard as some people might think, the feisty lawmaker commented. “Truthfully, most of my experience in life as an adult has been with community building and community organizing. To be honest and not downplay the pandemic, I have operated in crisis mode since I started community work years ago. Before I became an elected official, I did a lot of my work in Southwest Philly, and we have been dealing with violence, poverty, homeownership, and blight. We have been addressing these issues for years. I do not represent a district where we have the luxury to exhale. There is always a fire to put out. There is always something to address. I just focus on the work.”
“If you ever hear me when I speak out in public or on zoom meetings and phone calls, you will often hear me use the word “collaborations.” I believe in collaboration. I have witnessed over the years how some people try to do things without help as an advocate and organizer. That is not the way we are designed as human beings. We are designed to be connected, and we have to lean on each other. I appreciate the opportunity to work with my Councilperson, Kenyatta Johnson, with my State Senator, Anthony Williams, and my Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon. We are in conversation regularly to make sure we are in touch and in tune with all the resources we can offer to our constituents. Of course, I also work closely with my colleagues in Harrisburg. In particular, State Rep. Jordan Harris and State Rep. Joanna Mc Clinton, amazing mentors to all of us as freshman lawmakers. In terms of my freshman class that I work closely with, they are Rep. Darisha Parker and Rep. Amen Brown. I signed up for this work. It is very busy, but I enjoy it. In me, the people of the 185th district have gotten an elected official who will work tirelessly for them to lift up this part of Philadelphia and who will speak up for them and fight for them in Harrisburg.”
She earned a B.A. in communications from Central Connecticut State University, where she was president of the Black Student Union and a member of the Student Government Association. She earned an M.A. in community development and urban studies from Eastern University. She received her honorary Doctorate Degree in Divinity from Hearts Bible Institute University. Rep. Young is married and the mother of two children.
The 185th District includes part of Delaware County, including Darby Township, boroughs of Colwyn and Sharon Hill, South Philadelphia, and a part of Southwest Philadelphia. Rep. Young’s Committees and Caucuses are as follows: Liquor Control, Local Government, State Government, Tourism & Recreational Development, Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, Philadelphia County Delegation, and the PA SAFE Caucus.
Rep. Young’s story is just one example of how someone who was never an elected official before can mount a political campaign, work hard and work smart, and topple a “political dynasty.” The next election in PA is a primary election on Tuesday, May 18th. Make sure you are prepared and ready to vote. The polls open at 7 am and remain open until 8 pm. Your vote could be the vote to help give an opportunity to another newly committed person who wants to become a public servant and work to uplift the people of Pennsylvania. Any questions about election day, log on at www.votespa.com.