Released: January 3, 2022
History was made on Jan. 3, 2022, as Delaware County swore in its most diverse Council in history at an Induction Ceremony held in The Honorable John V. Diggins Ceremonial Courtroom at the Delaware County Courthouse in Media. Newly elected Richard Womack, Jr. was sworn into office, joining incumbent Councilmembers Kevin M. Madden, Monica Taylor, Elaine Paul Schaefer, and Christine Reuther on Council. President Judge Kevin F. Kelly presided over the ceremony.
After the Induction Ceremony, County Council held its reorganization meeting where Dr. Monica Taylor was elected by her colleagues as Chair of County Council and Elaine Paul Schaefer was elected as Vice Chair. Dr. Taylor had served as Vice Chair for the last two years.
With Councilman Womack’s induction and the naming of Dr. Taylor as Chair and Elaine Paul Schaefer as Vice Chair, Delaware County Council became the most diverse in the County’s history- consisting of a female Chair and Vice Chair and two African American members.
Councilman Womack was elected to a four-year Council term in November 2021. His prior government service includes representing Ward 2 on the Darby Township Board of Commissioners since 2009, where he was Vice President of the Board in 2015 and President in 2018. He has also served as an advisor to the President for community and religious affairs for the National AFL-CIO, a federation of 55 national and international labor unions that represents 12.5 million working men and women.
Councilman Womack has been recognized for his achievements and commitment to his community with the National NAACP “Labor of the Year Award,” the A. Phillip Randolph’s “Community Activist Award,” the Coalition of Black Trade Unionist “Labor of the Year Award,” and the Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Social Justice Award.”
Councilman Womack’s Oath of Office was administered by Magisterial District Judge Wilden H. Davis. He was introduced by his father, Richard Womack, Sr. The presentation of the Certificate of Election was done by his daughter, Chantel Womack and the Bible was held by his granddaughter, Amiyah Porter-Womack.
Newly re-elected County Controller Joanne Phillips was also sworn in for a second four-year term at today’s ceremony. Her Oath of Office was administered by Common Pleas Court Judge Kelly D. Eckel and the introduction was by her sister, Carol L. Roberts. The presentation of the Certificate of Election was done by Controller Phillips’ brother, James E. McPhillips, and the Bible she was sworn in on was held by Mary J. Walk, the Director of the Office of Judicial Support.
The invocation was given by Reverend Warren D. Mays, Sr., of the Second Baptist Church of Media. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by United States Army Veteran Maura A. “MO” Gillen and the National Anthem was performed by Dean Fagiolo, a Media Theater Student.
Newly re-elected Councilman Kevin Madden, Sherriff Jerry Sanders, and Register of Wills Rachel Ezell Berry were sworn in during small private ceremonies prior to the public swearing in.