Cherelle Parker sworn in as Philadelphia’s first female mayor

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Cherelle Parker on Tuesday officially became the first woman to serve as mayor of Philadelphia in a swearing-in ceremony at The Met Philadelphia on North Broad Street.

United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Marcia Fudge administered the oath of office before a packed house that included Philadelphia’s congressional and state legislative delegations, three former mayors and other VIPs.

Parker said all were partners needed for the change she hopes to bring.

If Parker's speech is any indication of how she will conduct her administration, fasten your chin straps — it was quite a wild ride. She is pursuing her vision of a safe, clean, green city with economic opportunity for all and she touched on all those points in her speech.

“I’m not talking about incremental change. I’m talking about bold, transformative steps that, when people walk outside of their house, they can touch, see and feel the results of our labor,” she said.

Parker spoke with her signature brio for more than an hour, rarely sticking to her script, laying out the plan for her first 100 days.

“I am fully committed to ending this sense of lawlessness, bringing order back to our city and a sense of lawfulness,” the mayor said.

She also pledged to eliminate red tape for businesses. She said she disliked the us-against-them mentality some people have about businesses, thinking the city should be providing a lot of services but ignoring the tax income that businesses bring.

Parker said she intends to keep schools open all day, from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., with out-of-school time programs for training and workforce development, and apprenticeships in various trades to help Philadelphia students succeed.

She said she will institute a one-front-door program that will house all of the city's home-improvement projects.

She pledged to clear abandoned cars.

And she ended by once again asking Philadelphia residents to help her achieve this goal and not to throw shade on her Philly shine.

“I’m not Superwoman. I can’t do this alone. I need all of you to be engaged,” she said.

All of City Council and the row officers, including city commissioners, the sheriff, the register of wills, and the city controller, were also sworn in. Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson was officially elected City Council president and pledged to work with Parker on her ambitious agenda.

In her office later in the day, Parker signed three executive orders, including one declaring a public safety emergency in Philadelphia.

"The executive order declares that the current level of crimes against persons and property constitute a public safety emergency, which the city must abate immediately," the mayor said.

"That includes retail thefts, the unlawful operation of ATVs and motor bikes and, finally, it’s developing a strategy to permanently shut down all open air drug markets."

Parker said she expects detailed plans for crime reduction from Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel and Managing Director Adam Thiel in 100 days. Parker said she could extend the order or sign a new one after that time.

She also noted the drop in homicides last year and said her team would improve morale.

"We still live in the best, the greatest, city in this nation, and you are going to begin to feel it," she said, "because you know who’s going to begin to feel it? The men and women who are on the ground who are putting their lives on the line to protect us."

A second executive order instructs her administration to be visible, responsive and effective. That includes making it easier to access city services.

A third order makes it easier for non-degree holders to get city jobs.

"Degree-based requirements and written examinations can pose barriers for otherwise qualified potential applicants," the mayor said.

Though that’s part of her economic opportunity agenda, she said greater employment access can also help public safety.

Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson was sworn in as the new president of Philadelphia City Council. His colleagues selected him to succeed Darrell Clarke, who held the seat for the last 12 years.

In 2020, Johnson's political career nearly came to an end when he faced a federal indictment alleging he and his wife accepted bribes for political favors, but he was ultimately acquitted of those charges in 2022.

Jim Kenney’s term officially ended at midnight on New Year’s Eve. He served two terms, from 2016 to 2023.

Read his farewell statement below:

Dear Fellow Philadelphians,

It has been the honor and privilege of a lifetime to serve as the mayor of this great city. Thank you for this significant opportunity and for all you do for Philadelphia as members of your community. 

I write to you on the eve of an historic milestone for our city, as we prepare to welcome my friend and colleague, Mayor-elect Cherelle Parker, to this esteemed office. I have the utmost confidence in Mayor-elect Parker, who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to serving the people of Philadelphia time and again throughout her impressive career. Our city and its future are in great hands.

Over the last eight years, we have made significant progress on the key issues facing Philadelphia and its future - public safety, education, inclusive growth, financial stability, and thriving neighborhoods.

Our city’s magnificent strength and resilience shone bright even in its darkest moments. The combination of a global pandemic, a tumultuous presidential election, a devastating gun violence epidemic, and long overdue demands for racial justice, tested the resolve and resilience of every single Philadelphian. Without hesitation, Philadelphia’s municipal employees, first responders, healthcare staff, and volunteers stepped forward to see us through uncharted waters. Four years later, we have made an incredible recovery from the pandemic and are poised to focus once more on the City’s bright future. 

None of this would be possible without the City’s dedicated and talented workforce. Every day, more than 30,000 Philadelphians are hard at work serving the public, while also paving the way for innovation and progress. This work often happens behind the scenes, and too often it goes unrecognized or underestimated. In my career as an elected official - and as the son of a firefighter - I’ve always been impressed by the hardworking public servants across every department and at every level of local government. I thank them all for their service during my time in office and am forever grateful for their commitment to serving the people of Philadelphia.  

My administration has spent the past several months preparing for the mayoral transition to promote continuity, stability, and momentum as a new mayor takes office. We are excited about our city’s future and look forward to celebrating Philadelphia’s progress and achievements under Mayor-elect Parker’s leadership. 

Thank you again, Philadelphia, for the incredible honor of being your Mayor. I am confident that together we have sown the seeds for continued progress, and I look forward to watching them grow with you. 

In service,

Jim Kenney

Mayor of Philadelphia