Philadelphia's own Dawn Staley has been honored with the inaugural Mayor’s One Philly Award. Staley, a legendary figure in women's basketball, was given the award by Mayor Cherelle L. Parker during the Wawa Welcome America Celebration of Freedom Ceremony at Independence Hall. This new accolade is designed to recognize individuals who use their platform to unify and uplift the community, as reported by the City of Philadelphia's official website.
The award seeks to quickly become an emblem of the city’s values, rewarding civic-mindedness, pioneering leadership, and a commitment to the city. Staley, whose list of accolades includes being a three-time Olympic gold medalist and a venerable NCAA coach, more recently led the South Carolina Gamecocks to a faultless 38-0 season. “For just this one day Mayor, I’d like to call it the One North Philly Award,” Staley said, as she accepted the honor, pointing to the deep roots and connections between her triumphs and her Philadelphia upbringing.
Mayor Parker underscored the significance of the award and Staley's embodiment of the resilient spirit of Philadelphia. "It is an honor to present the first ever One Philly Award to Dawn Staley who is not only an excellent ambassador of our city but also an inspiration to so many," Parker praised, according to the City of Philadelphia’s website. Staley's legacy as a trailblazer for women in sports was highlighted, recognizing her continued influence on future generations striving for greatness within the industry.
The Celebration of Freedom Ceremony not only spotlighted Staley’s remarkable career, but also showcased other notable personalities and performances. Keynote speaker, Pennsylvania House of Representatives Speaker Joanna McClinton, and special guests, Broadway vocalist Jennifer Holliday among them, shared the stage in a day of patriotic commemorations. Participants also got to hear an abbreviated reading of the Declaration of Independence by students Cheo Mangum and Cas Edens, highlighting to always remember America's foundational ideals as the country celebrates its birthday.
The event, which was broadcast later on NBC10 and Telemundo62, also honored other local heros, like the Philadelphia Fire Department’s EMS Explorer and Career Youth Development Program with the Wawa Foundation Hero Award and Sergeant First Class Naomi Connelly who was presented with the Celebrate Freedom Award by Freedom Mortgage. City Representative and Director of Special Events Jazelle Jones expressed pride in creating an event that celebrates both America and the individuals who serve its core values and communities.
