Helen Gym
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Philadelphia City Council Member
As a Philadelphia City Council member, Helen is the model of a local elected official bringing movement into City Hall. An enthusiastic champion for underserved communities, she went from organizing to politics after 24 public schools were closed in her city due to budget cuts. She says immigrant communities, communities of color and young women must see politics as rooted in love, justice and true belonging.
A former teacher, education activist and the first Asian-American woman elected to the council, Helen helped end a state takeover of the public schools, expanded renters’ rights, and passed a law guaranteeing predictable schedules for retail, fast food and hotel workers. For 2020, she is helping build a movement for transformative political change from the bottom up.
What is the song you will listen to on repeat in 2020?
“Anything by Lizzo, right now [her song] “Juice” is on repeat.”
What are you reading right now?
“People Like Us: The New Wave of Candidates Knocking at Democracy’s Door by Sayu Bhojwani.”
Who is your plus one?
“My plus is one is Kendra Brooks, a council member elect in Philadelphia. She won a historic victory in November as the first independent candidate in the city’s history to win a seat on City Council. She’s a single mom with four daughters who saved her family home from a sherrif sale and her local public school from closing down. I can’t wait to see what she’s going to do next!”
Join the Movement
She the People is creating a politics we have not yet seen, one grounded in love, justice, and belonging. Join women of color across the country in making our voice and votes matter in 2020 and beyond. Are you ready?