PHILADELPHIA, March 30, 2015 — A force for good and tireless fighter for the rights of the people of West Philadelphia, state Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams today remembered the life and invaluable contributions of Novella Williams, who died March 20 at the age of 87.
Sen. Williams presented her family with a Pennsylvania Senate citation as he spoke this morning during her funeral service.
“We celebrate the passion and commitment of Novella Williams because they are two of the many good things that motivated her to help Philadelphians,” the senator said. “From her work as the director of the Philadelphia Anti-Poverty Action Commission to her dedicated service to White Rock Baptist Church, Novella made us better.”
Williams founded and led Citizens for Progress for five decades. She also sparked the creation of more than two dozen other groups.
“Mrs. Williams served as a passionate crusader for community empowerment and was a powerful and influential voice for the education of children and equal justice,” the senator said.
President Jimmy Carter appointed Williams to serve on the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Minority Business Resource Center Advisory Board. She also served as a nongovernmental organization representative to the United Nations.
“We mourn Novella’s passing but we will never forget her contributions,” Sen. Williams said.
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