WHEREAS, Lillia E. “Mom” Crippen was born April 22, 1918 in Jersey City, New Jersey. She trained as a licensed practical nurse, and moved to Philadelphia as an adult, where she blessed the City with a decades-long career as a community leader and activist. “Mom” Crippen passed away on March 8, 1999, survived by a daughter and a son, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and a host of other relatives; and
WHEREAS, In her early years in Philadelphia, “Mom” Crippen organized City-sponsored summer youth activities in South Philadelphia, became a Cub Scout Den Mother in the Richard Allen Homes in the 1940’s, and served disabled veterans at the Valley Forge Veteran’s Administration Hospital as a Red Cross volunteer during World War II; and
WHEREAS, “Mom” Crippen was well known for her philanthropic spirit, and through her example, she taught and inspired others to provide service to benefit the needy and to improve their communities; and
WHEREAS, “Mom” Crippen believed strongly in full access to quality education, and to achieve that goal, she sponsored countless scholarship fundraising efforts, leaving a priceless legacy of students who would not otherwise have been able to receive the education they deserved; and
WHEREAS, “Mom” Crippen was a fierce advocate on many other fronts, including mental health advocacy, political education, and anti-drug efforts; and
WHEREAS, “Mom” Crippen was the Founder and President of the South Girard Community Association, and was affiliated with a number of other organizations in the City, including Afro-Seniors of Pennsylvania; Seniors of the 181st Legislative District; The Support Community Outreach Program (SCOP) City of Philadelphia, Department of Human Services — Advisory Committee; the Girard Avenue Business Association; J.T. Save the Children Association; and the Philadelphia More Beautiful Committee (Block Captains); and
WHEREAS, In the 1960s, “Mom” Crippen began a play street project in the 1200 block of Harper Street. This project provided recreation to children in the neighborhood, but was much more, as “Mom” took children into her home and taught them crucial life skills. Over the years, “Mom” was truly a surrogate parent to generations of children throughout the City; now therefore
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby honor the life of Lillia E. “Mom” Crippen by also naming the 1200 block of Harper Street as “Lillia E. ‘Mom’ Crippen Way.”
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Lillia E. “Mom” Crippen, further evidencing the sincere appreciation of this legislative body.
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