Helen Gym | |
---|---|
Member of the Philadelphia City Council from the at-large district | |
In office January 4, 2016 – November 29, 2022 | |
Succeeded by | Vacant |
Personal details | |
Born | Seattle, Washington, U.S. | January 11, 1968
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse |
Bret Flaherty (m. 1995) |
Children | 3 |
Education | University of Pennsylvania (BA, MA) |
Helen Gym (/ˈɡɪm/ GHIHM;[1] Korean: 김혜련,[2] born January 11, 1968)[3][4] is an American politician. She was the first Asian American woman to serve on the Philadelphia City Council.[5] She was first elected to Council in 2015 and served until 2022, when she resigned to run in the Democratic primary of the 2023 Philadelphia mayoral election.[6] Gym finished in third place behind Cherelle Parker, who won the nomination, and Rebecca Rhynhart.
A member of the Democratic Party, Gym is a former school teacher and community organizer who cofounded Parents United for Public Education and served on the board of Asian Americans United.[7] While on City Council, she became known as a progressive voice and focused on issues including housing, education, youth issues, and worker’s rights.[7]