WHEREAS, Shirley M. Kitchen, a longtime advocate for North Philadelphia and the second African American woman to serve in the Pennsylvania Senate, died on July 5, 2026, at the age of 79; and
WHEREAS, Born in Augusta, Georgia, on September 18, 1946, Kitchen attended Philadelphia public schools, earned a degree in human services from Antioch University, and pursued additional training at Temple University, preparing for a career rooted in helping people secure the services and opportunities they needed; and
WHEREAS, Her service included work as a Philadelphia social worker and constituent-services director in John F. Street’s City Council office, as well as leadership of the 20th Ward and involvement in North Philadelphia community organizations; and
WHEREAS, Kitchen represented the 181st Legislative District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1987 to 1988 and the Third Senatorial District from 1996 until her retirement in 2016, bringing the concerns of Philadelphia neighborhoods to Harrisburg for two decades; and
WHEREAS, As a legislator, including service as Democratic chair of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, she advocated for access to health care, affordable housing, and the well-being of low-income residents, carrying the practical experience of social work into public policy; and
WHEREAS, Her example of attentive constituent service and sustained neighborhood organizing leaves a lasting standard for those entrusted with public office; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby honors the life and legacy of former Pennsylvania State Senator Shirley M. Kitchen and extends its deepest condolences to her family, friends, former colleagues, and the many residents whose lives she touched.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this Resolution be presented to Senator Kitchen’s family as an expression of respect and gratitude of the Council of the City of Philadelphia.
End