Meet our new Executive Director the Pennsylvania Legislative Black ...

4 The Gavel SUMMER 2010 Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus
Pennsylvania’s Fresh Food
Financing Initiative
First Lady Michelle Obama, accompanied by Secretary
of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and Secretary of The Treasury
Timothy Geithner, toured The Fresh Grocer at Progress
Plaza in Philadelphia. Opened in December 2009, this is
the first supermarket to locate in the neighborhood in more
than a decade, with financing that included funds from the
Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative, New Markets
Tax Credits and the 2009 Recovery Act.
This Pennsylvania initiative was created through a
public/private partnership to provide the financing needed
to bring supermarkets to underserved neighborhoods.
It is the model for the Healthy Food Financing Initiative,
an essential component of the First Lady’s “Let’s Move!”
campaign to address the childhood obesity epidemic.
“Let’s move to ensure that all families have access to
healthy, affordable food in their communities,” First Lady
Michelle Obama said in her speech at Philadelphia’s Fairhill
Elementary School. “If anyone thinks it can’t be done, I
urge them to come to Philadelphia and see what can be
done.”
The Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative,
championed by state Rep. Dwight Evans, was seeded
with state funds and is widely recognized for its innovative
design and purpose. It has served as a model for similar
efforts developing in other states, including New York, New
Jersey, Illinois, Louisiana and Colorado.
“The reason we have communities where there is
little access to fresh food is because business owners
closed grocery stores or didn’t want to invest in the first
place,” Evans said. “But across Pennsylvania, we’ve met
wonderful grocers who understand that their businesses
are vibrant neighborhood anchors. The Fresh Food
Financing Initiative provides expertise and funding, but it’s
the business owners with vision and a willingness to invest
in their communities whom I applaud. They’ve made the PA
program a success and a model for the whole nation.”
First Lady Michelle Obama, Mayor Michael Nutter, and Rep.
Dwight Evans
Parker Invites Young
Women to Enter $3,000
Essay Contest
State Rep. Cherelle L. Parker
made a strong effort to encourage
college-bound female high school
juniors and seniors to enter the
National Foundation for Women
Legislators and National Rifle
Association’s 13th annual Bill of
Rights Essay Contest.
This year’s contest is titled “Freedom and Civic
Virtues.” Seven winners will receive a $3,000 college
scholarship and all-expenses-paid trip to NFWL’s
Annual Conference Nov. 18-22 at The Ritz-Carlton
Grande Lakes in Orlando, Fla. They will network
with, be mentored by and speak to hundreds of
women lawmakers from across the United States.
“This is an excellent opportunity for local members
of the class of 2010 and 2011,” said NFWL member
Parker. “This contest will help seven young women
enhance their understanding of the role of women
in politics through a hands-on learning experience.
It provides an excellent opportunity to develop
leadership skills while assisting with college tuition
expenses.
“The Millennial Generation is the future of
American politics. By understanding and explaining
the importance of American virtues and rights,
young women can make a lasting impact on the
future of American policies. This essay contest is
an opportunity for young women to win a college
scholarship while making their voices heard on the
true intentions of the Bill of Rights.”
Entries had to be postmarked by July 30, after
which an NFWL selection committee will judge
each essay and determine the seven winners. The
judges primarily will weigh the factors of storytelling,
understanding of the Bill of Rights and original
insight.
The National Foundation for Women Legislators
enables women lawmakers to be more effective
leaders. NFWL provides women members of
Congress, state legislators, county commissioners
and city council members with strategic resources,
including debates and briefings on the issues,
leadership skill development and opportunities for
networking.
Look for the fall issue of The Gavel for an update
on this year’s winners!