María D. Quiñones-Sánchez

In the November 2009 Philadelphia Magazine, Councilwoman María D. Quiñones-Sánchez was named one of Philadelphia’s Most Influential 50, and was also named in 2008 as the “Best of Philly” new Councilperson and one of the future women leaders to watch by the Philadelphia Daily News. Making history in November 2007 with nearly 80% of the vote, with tremendous grassroots and community support, she became the first Puerto Rican/Latino elected to a district City Council seat and the first Latina to serve on the Philadelphia City Council. In City Council, Councilwoman Sanchez serves as chair of the Committee of Licenses and Inspections, vice chair of the Streets and Services and also serves on Appropriations; Labor and Civil Service; Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs; Commerce and Economic Development; Public Health and Human Services; Education; Housing, Neighborhood Development and the Homeless and the Disabled and the Handicapped. A veteran activist with over 24 years of service to the City of Philadelphia, Councilwoman Sanchez has advocated tirelessly for economic development, women’s and workers’ rights, family wages, voter registration and health care availability. Sanchez is also a founding member of the Pennsylvania Statewide Latino Coalition and served as its first co-chair of the board of directors.