Source: Gilbert Carrasquillo / Getty
Cherelle Parker has etched her name in the history books in one of, if not the most historically decorated city in America. Parker has been elected to serve as the 100th Mayor of Philadelphia. Parker makes history as the first ever woman to hold this position.
She takes to social media to Celebrate her win and encourage the city of Philadelphia to follow her on socials for announcements and updates around the city.
“Thank you, Philly!! Stay tuned for more announcements and updates coming soon right here!” Parker posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Our journey doesn’t end here—it’s just the beginning of the work we’ll do together. Keep an eye on social media for exciting news to come!”
Watch Parker address the city of Philadelphia after winning the majority vote to become Mayor of Philadelphia!
Parker grew up in Mount Airy with her grandparents, after her mother — who had her as a teen — died when Parker was 11. Parker was a cheerleader at Parkway Central High School. She graduated with a B.S. from Lincoln University and a Master of Public Administration from Penn.
Is Cherelle Parker married?
Parker married Ben Mullins, a leader in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, in 2010. Together they have one son, Langston Mullins, who Parker says she named after her favorite poet, Langston Hughes.
Parker, 51, had come a long way in politics before earning her spot as the 100th mayor of Philadelphia. At age 17, Parker won a high school oration contest, which led to an internship with Philadelphia City Councilwoman Marian B. Tasco. Parker would go on to work for Councilwoman Tasco from about 1995 to 2002, with a short break in between those years to teach high school English teacher in Pleasantville, NJ
Parker than served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 2005 to 2015, representing the 200th district in Northwest Philadelphia. Parker made history then as well, being the youngest African American woman elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
Parker then took office as the 9th District Council Member in 2016 after Tasco resigned. Parker was tasked with representing the Northwest and Northeast neighborhoods of Mount Airy, West Oak Lane, East Oak Lane, Olney, Lawncrest, Lawndale, Burholme and Oxford Circle.
Source: Gilbert Carrasquillo / Getty
Parker has described her mission in government as “closing the gap between the haves and the have nots.” She says her priorities as mayor would be safety, jobs, and city services.
