Honoring and recognizing Donna Allie, president and founder of Team Clean, Inc., Philadelphia's largest minority and women-owned janitorial business, for her entrepreneurial skills, integrity and compassion for providing employment opportunities to underserved populations as we further recognize March as Women's History Month.

WHEREAS, Donna Allie founded Team Clean, Inc. in the mid-1980s as an independent entrepreneur, and has grown the company to over 700 employees and over $18 million in sales. A single parent, Ms. Allie began cleaning houses after she was unable to find a career in her chosen field after graduation from college to support herself and her child. It was then that she realized there was an opportunity in the cleaning industry and began recruiting other women who were in situations similar to her own to clean homes in pairs. After landing her first commercial contract in the mid-1980s, Allie launched the company Team Clean, Inc.; and

WHEREAS, Team Clean is a corporation with humble beginnings made prosperous by the founder, Donna Allie. The company originated with the ideal of cleaning homes, and surpassed that by acquiring lasting relationships with large-scale establishments and organizations such as the Philadelphia Workforce Development Corporation, the Upper Mainline YMCA, the Philadelphia Phillies Organization and The Philadelphia Convention Center; and

WHEREAS, Providing employment to women exiting the welfare system and giving second chances to ex-offenders, Team Clean, Inc. proves to be a savior for individuals in society that struggle on a daily basis to make a honest living; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Allie is a nationally recognized businesswoman and entrepreneur. For her business acumen and philanthropy, she has been honored with the African-American Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneurial Spirit Award, Smart CEO's Brava! Women Business Achievement Award, Urban League of Philadelphia 2011 Spirit of Innovation Award, 2013 Social Entrepreneur Award, and the Philadelphia Phillies Most Valuable Diverse Business Partner Award; and

WHEREAS, Driven by sacrifice and empowered by resilience, Donna Allie has continued to grow and evolve Team Clean, Inc. Team Clean is recognized as one of the region's leading commercial janitorial services; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby honors and recognizes Donna Allie, owner of Team Clean, Inc. for her outstanding impact on women of various backgrounds and ex-offenders seeking employment in the Philadelphia area, and serving as a model for perseverance and hard work.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Donna Allie, of Team Clean, Inc. as a sincere expression of Council's appreciation.

End