Recognizing and honoring JoAnne Fischer for her service to the women, children and families of Philadelphia.

WHEREAS, For more than four decades, JoAnne Fischer has advocated tirelessly – and very effectively – for the needs and rights of women, children and families, primarily in the Philadelphia Region, but also across the Commonwealth, the United States and the globe; and

WHEREAS, This month, JoAnne retires as Executive Director of Maternity Care Coalition (“MCC”), a nonprofit agency focused on improving the health and wellbeing of pregnant women, parents and young children; and

WHEREAS, Since its founding in 1980, MCC has touched more than 100,000 families throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania, focusing particularly on neighborhoods with high rates of poverty, infant mortality, health disparities, and changing immigration patterns; and

WHEREAS, In her 28 years at MCC, JoAnne has grown the agency from a staff of three serving two Philadelphia neighborhoods to an agency that employs 158 and provides over 12,000 annual home visits and 300 Early Head Start slots across Southeastern Pennsylvania, as well as a long list of direct services, education, and research and policy initiatives; and

WHEREAS, During her tenure, JoAnne earned a reputation for her leadership, not only as Executive Director of MCC, but also in the maternal-child health and early education communities in the region; and

WHEREAS, JoAnne leaves MCC well-positioned for growth, with many leaders inside and outside of the Agency whom she has mentored that will be able to provide ongoing contributions in the form of service, research and policy work to support the families who are most in need; and

WHEREAS, The growth and current strong state of MCC are testaments to JoAnne’s unique personal blend of expertise, vision, and passion, and she will be greatly missed by those who had the pleasure of working closely with her; and

WHEREAS, For her many accomplishments, which include expanding to Bucks and Montgomery Counties through a merger with Child, Home & Community and MCC’s signature MOMobile Program, JoAnne has received dozens of recognitions, including White House Champion of Change, Women’s Way Trailblazer and Changemaker, and

Philadelphia Business Journal

Women of Distinction; and

WHEREAS, Having given so much of herself to so many families, JoAnne is rightfully excited to spend time with her own, including her husband Eric Hoffman and the families of their children Sage and Cory; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA,

That Council does hereby recognize and honor JoAnne Fischer for her service to the women, children and families of Philadelphia.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to JoAnne Fischer, evidencing the sincere admiration and respect of this legislative body.

End