This week we'll be welcoming Councilmember Nina Ahmad. Dr. Nina Ahmad is a scientist, activist, and public servant shaped by her experience as a child of war during Bangladesh’s Liberation. She honors that legacy while standing in solidarity with Black communities in their ongoing fight for justice and equity.
She earned a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the Penn and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Molecular Genetics at Thomas Jefferson University. A former Assistant Professor and Director of Molecular Biology at Wills Eye Hospital, she also holds a patent in genetic diagnostics.
She served as Philadelphia’s first Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Deputy Mayor, founding the Department of Public Engagement. Appointed by President Obama to the AAPI Commission, she advanced national efforts on worker safety, immigrant rights, and anti-bullying in schools. As past President of Pennsylvania NOW and a longtime trustee of the Philadelphia Foundation, she has championed equity, labor rights, and community investment.
Dr. Ahmad is also a leader in Democratic politics, founding the state’s first AAPI Caucus. Widely recognized for her impact, she has been named to City & State PA’s AAPI Power 100 and Top 100 Women Leaders. Now serving as an At-Large Philadelphia City Councilmember, Dr. Ahmad brings a lifelong commitment to equity and evidence-based solutions to the city’s most urgent challenges.
Lynda Mintz and Shelly Quigley met ten years ago at a protest rally and quickly discovered that they shared a love of political parody writing. They met up again at Voices Rising Philly, a choral group that sings at rallies promoting progressive causes. They recently shared songs with each other and agree that writing music and singing are antidotes for the toxicity of our current political climate and a positive way to express their fear and frustration.
Lynda has been a member of the Bucks County Folksong Society for 25 years and has performed at the Doylestown Arts Festival and the Perkasie Fall Fest. She also plays parodies and folk music at local coffee shops.
Shelly has been a member of the Philadelphia Folksong Society for 25 years as well (clearly they both started playing when they were toddlers) and performed comedy and parody at Chuckles Comedy Club, senior centers and various other local venues.
They are honored to participate in this We The People Event and hope laughter will bring a little light to these dark times.
As always, we'll have an action items as well as our usual list of hopeful news, much needed in these dismal days.
Be sure to grab a drink or snack from the remarkably wonderful High Point Cafe, who give our community a home.
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
Margaret Mead
Also check out other Festivals in Flourtown, Comedy events in Flourtown, Nonprofit events in Flourtown.
