Philadelphia, PA
Anthony Hardy Williams is serving his fourth term in the Pennsylvania Senate where he is the Democratic Whip. The former corporate executive and entrepreneur began his legislative service in 1989, first winning office as a state representative. Williams’s leadership in education reform began with his support of the state’s 1997 charter school legislation, which allowed for the creation and operation of charter schools and established Pennsylvania as a leader in this area. He is a founding member of BAEO’s Philadelphia chapter and a founder of the Hardy Williams Academy Charter School. Senator Williams is championing a landmark bill that would establish an opportunity scholarship program to help low-income families opt out of chronically failing schools.
Senator Williams is Democratic Chairman of the State Government Committee and a member of the Education, Banking and Insurance, Communications and Technology, Rules and Executive Nominations Committees. He also serves on the Democratic Policy and Legislative Data Processing Committees and the Life Sciences Caucus. Williams chairs the Philadelphia Democratic United Ward Leaders of Color. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Council of the Arts, a founding member of Neighbors United Against Drugs, an emeritus member of the board of the African American Museum in Philadelphia, and an honorary advisory member of the board of the Philadelphia Holocaust Remembrance Foundation. Williams has served in the past on the boards of directors of SEPTA, Temple University and the West Philadelphia YMCA.
Anthony Hardy Williams is a graduate of Franklin & Marshall College.