Joanna McClinton won a special election in August 2015, after dedicating her life to public service beginning with her service as a youth leader at Open Door Mission, as a volunteer with Outreach to Youth and Hands of Compassion American Sign Language Ministry, as an assistant public defender, and then later as chief counsel to the minority whip of the Pennsylvania Senate.
Joanna grew up in southwest Philadelphia and graduated from both LaSalle University, where she is an elected board member, and Villanova School of Law. Joanna has also served as the secretary of the Philadelphia Barrister’s Association, the city’s bar association for African American attorneys.
Joanna led efforts in Harrisburg for criminal justice reform; for public safety and bringing an end to urban gun violence; and for public education and job development, among many other initiatives.
