Thank you. I'm so sorry for your loss. I will never -- I thank you for saying that because I still remember the day that my daughter and I -- I think at that time my daughter may have been 6 or 7 years old, and we saw your sister on the side of the road. And we stopped and we asked her if she needed help. And I don't know how we figured out how to find you all with no information or anything. I think your sister may have given us a telephone number.
She gave -- my sister sent you to me because I was caring for my mom at the time.
Yes. I called you from the side of the road, trying to get her help to ensure she could be somewhere safe in housing. I will never forget that day. I remember exactly where we were. But I'm so sorry for your loss and thank you for the work that you do.
But I also wanted to say that I'm excited to hear about Overbrook High School. But I wanted to connect you with Dr. Robin Cooper from CASA. That's the administrator over all of the principal union, and she works with all the different principals. So we want to connect you with Dr. Robin Cooper. So I'll ask my team to do that so that maybe she can help make the soft introduction with all of the other principals. I know Principal Graham is doing a great job at Overbrook and always looking for resources for his students. But we want to make sure we make the connection with Dr. Robin Cooper. Thank you for saying that because I never forgot your sister.
Thank you. Please state your name for the record and proceed with your testimony.
Good afternoon. My name is Alicia Gillespie. I'm a mother, a change advocate, a mover and a shaker and a thriver. I'm here to give insight on my experiences and to share solid solutions to empower and strengthen the Black women of Philadelphia. As a sole provider, my life has been full of ups and downs, victories, losses and wins. From sicknesses, dealing with systems of many kinds, my number one policy will be to create a safety net to help women invest, build, and grow and have financial stability, which can promote steady mental health, savings, asset building and homeownership. With this policy in place, everyone can benefit from this generation and the generations to come. A bill only designed for Black women to thrive called the Thrive Bill. This city, country, world was built on the backs of our ancestors. Yet we are constantly being overlooked. Why not start with us, the experts, the ones with the lived experience. Many times I dreamed of this opportunity to share about the darkest times I endured in my life and just needed a push to assist with rent, bills, so I can escape the shelter system, abusive relationships with no strings attached. Why not partner together with such organizations as Women's Way to help change the narrative of women in Philadelphia? We are not incapable. We need a source to create resources. Thank you. (Applause.)
Thank you and thank you for being here again. I remember you at our last hearing and I appreciate the work that you've been doing. So thank you so much for hanging in there with us and continuing to support the work. We want to continue to support the work you're doing.
Thank you so much. Are there any additional witnesses here to testify? (No response.)
Any panels or names who have not been called, wishing to testify or who were called and are unable to testify? (No response.)
Okay. Seeing none, we thank you all so much for being here. I want to thank all my colleagues who were here. We have two hearings today and several other events, but they were all here today in support of this resolution. There being no further bills or resolutions on the agenda, this will conclude the business before the Committee on Finance today. Thank you very much for your attendance and for your participation. Thank you, thank you, thank you. (Applause.) - - - (Committee on Finance concluded at 12:33 p.m.) - - - C E R T I F I C A T I O N I, hereby certify that the proceedings and evidence noted are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me in the foregoing matter, and that this is a correct transcript of the same. _______________________________ TANEHA CARROLL