Hardy Williams served the people of Pennsylvania for over 30 years as an elected official.
A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Law School, Williams started his career practicing as an attorney. He was elected to the Pennsylvania General Assembly in 1968, serving until 1982, when he ran successfully as an independent Democrat for state senator.
In 1971, Williams was the first African-American candidate for mayor in Philadelphia to garner widespread public support. His efforts led to the election of other independent Democrats throughout the city, from committee people to the mayors office. W. Wilson Goode, the first African-American mayor of Philadelphia, acquired his initial political experience serving as co-campaign manager for Williams 1971 campaign.
In 1994, Williams became executive director of Black Family Services after having served on its board for many years. Earlier that year, the states legislative body passed cuts in welfare spending that threatened those at the lean end of the economic scale. Williams was not in favor of the cuts and felt that, although he had not been able to prevent the legislation in Harrisburg, he could contribute through taking on this additional role.
He retired from the Pennsylvania Senate in 1998, replaced by his son Anthony Hardy Williams.
Aside from his legislative service, Williams worked with many community organizations. Williams founded the Organized Anti-Crime Community Network (OACCN) and played an instrumental role in the establishment of the youth violence intervention program Crisis Intervention Network.
Last year, the Renaissance Advantage Charter School (RACS), which opened in 1989, was rededicated as the Hardy Williams Academy Charter School. The RACS leadership chose to rename the K-8 school, located in Southwest Philadelphia, after Williams to recognize the local leader and help inspire students about their own potential to succeed.
A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Law School, Williams started his career practicing as an attorney. He was elected to the Pennsylvania General Assembly in 1968, serving until 1982, when he ran successfully as an independent Democrat for state senator.
In 1971, Williams was the first African-American candidate for mayor in Philadelphia to garner widespread public support. His efforts led to the election of other independent Democrats throughout the city, from committee people to the mayors office. W. Wilson Goode, the first African-American mayor of Philadelphia, acquired his initial political experience serving as co-campaign manager for Williams 1971 campaign.
In 1994, Williams became executive director of Black Family Services after having served on its board for many years. Earlier that year, the states legislative body passed cuts in welfare spending that threatened those at the lean end of the economic scale. Williams was not in favor of the cuts and felt that, although he had not been able to prevent the legislation in Harrisburg, he could contribute through taking on this additional role.
He retired from the Pennsylvania Senate in 1998, replaced by his son Anthony Hardy Williams.
Aside from his legislative service, Williams worked with many community organizations. Williams founded the Organized Anti-Crime Community Network (OACCN) and played an instrumental role in the establishment of the youth violence intervention program Crisis Intervention Network.
Last year, the Renaissance Advantage Charter School (RACS), which opened in 1989, was rededicated as the Hardy Williams Academy Charter School. The RACS leadership chose to rename the K-8 school, located in Southwest Philadelphia, after Williams to recognize the local leader and help inspire students about their own potential to succeed.
Hardy Williams served the people of Pennsylvania for over 30 years as an elected official.
A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Law School, Williams started his career practicing as an attorney. He was elected to the Pennsylvania General Assembly in 1968, serving until 1982, when he ran successfully as an independent Democrat for state senator.
In 1971, Williams was the first African-American candidate for mayor in Philadelphia to garner widespread public support. His efforts led to the election of other independent Democrats throughout the city, from committee people to the mayors office. W. Wilson Goode, the first African-American mayor of Philadelphia, acquired his initial political experience serving as co-campaign manager for Williams 1971 campaign.
In 1994, Williams became executive director of Black Family Services after having served on its board for many years. Earlier that year, the states legislative body passed cuts in welfare spending that threatened those at the lean end of the economic scale. Williams was not in favor of the cuts and felt that, although he had not been able to prevent the legislation in Harrisburg, he could contribute through taking on this additional role.
He retired from the Pennsylvania Senate in 1998, replaced by his son Anthony Hardy Williams.
Aside from his legislative service, Williams worked with many community organizations. Williams founded the Organized Anti-Crime Community Network (OACCN) and played an instrumental role in the establishment of the youth violence intervention program Crisis Intervention Network.
Last year, the Renaissance Advantage Charter School (RACS), which opened in 1989, was rededicated as the Hardy Williams Academy Charter School. The RACS leadership chose to rename the K-8 school, located in Southwest Philadelphia, after Williams to recognize the local leader and help inspire students about their own potential to succeed.
A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Law School, Williams started his career practicing as an attorney. He was elected to the Pennsylvania General Assembly in 1968, serving until 1982, when he ran successfully as an independent Democrat for state senator.
In 1971, Williams was the first African-American candidate for mayor in Philadelphia to garner widespread public support. His efforts led to the election of other independent Democrats throughout the city, from committee people to the mayors office. W. Wilson Goode, the first African-American mayor of Philadelphia, acquired his initial political experience serving as co-campaign manager for Williams 1971 campaign.
In 1994, Williams became executive director of Black Family Services after having served on its board for many years. Earlier that year, the states legislative body passed cuts in welfare spending that threatened those at the lean end of the economic scale. Williams was not in favor of the cuts and felt that, although he had not been able to prevent the legislation in Harrisburg, he could contribute through taking on this additional role.
He retired from the Pennsylvania Senate in 1998, replaced by his son Anthony Hardy Williams.
Aside from his legislative service, Williams worked with many community organizations. Williams founded the Organized Anti-Crime Community Network (OACCN) and played an instrumental role in the establishment of the youth violence intervention program Crisis Intervention Network.
Last year, the Renaissance Advantage Charter School (RACS), which opened in 1989, was rededicated as the Hardy Williams Academy Charter School. The RACS leadership chose to rename the K-8 school, located in Southwest Philadelphia, after Williams to recognize the local leader and help inspire students about their own potential to succeed.
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