In memoriam: Trailblazer Happy Fernandez
Please note: This article is published as an archive copy from Philadelphia City Paper. My City Paper is not affiliated with Philadelphia City Paper. Philadelphia City Paper was an alternative weekly newspaper in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The last edition was published on October 8, 2015.
Politics is a dirty game, but Happy Fernandez, a former councilwoman who was the first woman to run for mayor of Philadelphia on a major-party ticket, kept her nose clean. Known for both her tenacity and gentle manner, Fernandez died on Jan. 19 at age 74 of complications from a stroke.
A native of Omaha, Neb., Fernandez (born Gladys Vivian Craven) moved to Powelton Village shortly after marrying the Rev. Richard Fernandez. There, she worked as a community activist and founded a citywide parents’ lobby. With two master’s degrees (one from Harvard) and a doctorate, she taught at Temple University’s School of Social Administration for 18 years. Then she entered the male-dominated field of politics, advocating for public schools and fighting against special interests, all while mentoring a slew of young female professionals. After two terms as a Democratic councilwoman, she ran for mayor in 1999, promising to improve public education and child care. Following her unsuccessful campaign, she served as president of Moore College of Art & Design for 13 years. There, she helped raise its profile, expanded enrollment by 29 percent and brought in funds for new scholarships and leadership programs. After retiring in 2012, she returned to her passion of mentoring and started a program for aspiring female leaders who possess the qualities she’ll be best remembered for: a dedication to public service and a whole lot of chutzpah.
