Wanda Williams
Wanda Williams | |
|---|---|
| File:Wanda Williams 2023.jpg Williams in 2023 | |
| 39th Mayor of Harrisburg | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Eric Papenfuse |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 4, 1953 Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Jerome Williams |
| Education | Harrisburg Area Community College |
| Website | Campaign website |
Wanda R. D. Williams (born 1953) is an American Democratic politician from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, currently serving as 39th Mayor of Harrisburg. Running as a Democrat and President of the Harrisburg City Council, she won the 2021 Harrisburg mayoral election becoming the city's second female and second African-American mayor.[1]
Early life
Williams grew up in Harrisburg and attended William Penn High and Harrisburg Area Community College.[2]
Politics
Williams started her political career in 1998 as a member of the Harrisburg school board.[3][2] She served on the Harrisburg City Council since 2006, with her last two terms serving as the council president.[2] During her time in the City Council, she worked to set term limits for Harrisburg mayors.[4] In 2016 she received criticism as she was accused of politicizing the Harrisburg Environmental Advisory Council.[5]
Personal life
Williams lost a granddaughter to gun violence in 2013 as a bystander at a shooting.[3]
References
- ↑ Schad, Ben; Talley, Megan (November 3, 2021). "Wanda Williams secures Harrisburg Mayoral race". WHTM.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Conley Gittens, Maddie (4 March 2021). "Harrisburg Council President Wanda Williams announces run for mayor, joins crowded field". The Burg. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Thompson, Charles (4 March 2021). "Harrisburg Council President Wanda Williams joins crowded mayoral field". PennLive. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
- ↑ McKelvey, Wallace (30 August 2017). "No more 'mayors for life'? Harrisburg mulls term limits in shadow of Stephen Reed". PennLive. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
- ↑ Vendel, Christine (31 March 2016). "Harrisburg Environmental Advisory Council collapses under 'dysfunction'". PennLive. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
- 1953 births
- 21st-century African-American women politicians
- 21st-century African-American politicians
- 21st-century American women politicians
- Harrisburg City Council members
- Living people
- Mayors of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania Democrats
- Women political candidates
- African-American mayors in Pennsylvania
- Women mayors of places in Pennsylvania
- 21st-century mayors of places in Pennsylvania
- Women city councillors in Pennsylvania
- African-American women mayors