(Philadelphia - August 25 2020) - The
Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) is mourning the loss of former
Commissioner Nellie Reynolds, a champion of hope who devoted
herself for more than 50 years to advancing justice and improving
the quality of life for Philadelphia's public housing residents.
Ms. Reynolds, age 96, passed away over the weekend.
"Ms. Reynolds was like a second mother to me," said Kelvin A.
Jeremiah, President and CEO of the Philadelphia Housing Authority.
"I am grateful for her wisdom and her sage counsel. She reminded
everyone, including me, that they are here to make a
difference. She was a voice for the unheard and marginalized,
when she successfully advocated that public housing residents be
given a voice in HUD-assisted programs and policies."
Jeremiah added that Reynolds' impact was phenomenal,
inspirational, and lasting.
In 1968, Reynolds engaged in actions that led to the
establishment of what is now the Resident Advisory Board, which
became the first tenant council in the country. Today, there are
hundreds of such organizations, giving residents a strong voice on
governance issues related to low-income housing developments.
Ms. Reynolds was the second and longest serving resident of the
RAB.
Additionally, she fought other key battles, including one that
led to the construction of Whitman Park at 2nd Street and Oregon
Avenue, now situated in a formerly all-white section of South
Philadelphia. That development would become an historic symbol in
the city's struggle for racial integration and justice.
A resident of Johnson Homes since she was a youngster, Reynolds
was appointed as Commissioner to the PHA Board in 1984. There she
pushed to advance tenant rights and provided them with a voice in
governance.
Commissioner Reynolds served as a PHA Commissioner for 26 years
and as Vice Chairman of the Board from 1990 until 2010, when the
entire PHA board resigned. Ms. Reynolds was then appointed Resident
Liaison by HUD, a position she held until her death until PHA
returned to local control in 2013.
"I've always looked up to her for her willingness to stand up
for what is right for our community. She was my mentor and I'm
personally committed to do my part to carry the torch," said
Lynette Brown-Sow, Chair of the PHA Board of Commissioners. "We
relied on former Commissioner Reynolds for her experience and for
the insights gained through the years as a resident leader. My
heartfelt condolences go out to her family."
Indeed, it was Ms. Reynolds who suggested that the PHA Police
Department recruit public housing residents or former residents to
the force, and her suggestion became reality in August 2013. The
idea was and is a community-policing model, which ensures greater
communication and better relations with the residents, city and the
broader community.
For many years, Ms. Reynolds had been a trustee on the Community
Legal Services Board and a member of the Welfare Rights
Organization. Commissioner Reynolds also served on the board of the
Housing Association of the Delaware Valley and as an Emeritus
member on the Urban Affairs Coalition's board.
She worked on behalf of the homeless and served as a member of
the National Tenant Organization and as a member of Zion Baptist
Church. Ms. Reynolds also served on the Democratic Election
Committee for 50 years for the 32nd Ward, where she was
chairwoman.
"Nellie Reynolds has had a remarkable life and impact on
residents," Jeremiah said. "I'd like to honor her and her legacy by
naming the Philly SEEDs Scholarship in her name, as a lasting
tribute to her, and provide every recipient with a biography of her
as part of the scholarship award."
Commissioner Reynolds once said she wanted to be known as a
caring mother and a person who fought to get doors open for PHA
residents and it's clear that she
did.