Joan L. Krajewski Explained

Joan Krajewski
Birth Date:31 May 1934
Party:Democratic
Children:Three
Profession:Politician, Union official
Office:Member of the Philadelphia City Council from the 6th District
Term Start:January 7, 1980
Term End:January 2, 2012
Predecessor:Joseph Zazyczny
Successor:Bobby Henon

Joan L. Krajewski (May 31, 1934 – August 29, 2013) was a Democratic politician and former member of the Philadelphia City Council who represented the Sixth District of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for almost thirty years.

Biography

Krajewski, who lived in Port Richmond and whose district included much of Lower Northeast Philadelphia, began her political career as a Republican committeeperson. After supporting Frank Rizzo, who was then a Democrat, in the 1971 mayoral election, she soon switched parties. One of a faction of conservative white Democrats who represented working-class Philadelphia neighborhoods and were sometimes described as "Rizzocrats," she was known for her loyalty to her supporters and her skill at political maneuvering and was often described as "tough" and "a fighter."[1] [2]

She succeeded Councilman Joseph Zazyczny in the seat after his resignation in 1979[3] and served on Council from 1980 to 2012.

Krajewski was, prior to her election, an active union official who served as the president of Local 1660-School Board Employees, District Council 33, and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees’ Union. She was also an investigator for the City Department of Revenue.[4]

Krajewski was also the Ward Leader of the 65th Ward Democratic Executive Committee, beginning with her election to the position in 1978.[5]

In 2007, Aaron Krolikowski, sketched a day in the life of the Councilwoman. Following her from the City Council chamber to her office. Where she was interviewed by the Inquirer's Jeff Shields.

Illness and death

Krajewski died on August 29, 2013, after recently being diagnosed with COPD.[6]

Notes and References

  1. News: Loss of a legend . Northeast Times . 2013-09-15.
  2. Web site: Melting pot of Philadelphians pay respects to Joan Krajewski . WHYY.
  3. Web site: Zazyczny, Joseph L.. Pinkowski Files: Alphabetic Name Listings. Poles In America Foundation, Inc.. March 7, 2012.
  4. Web site: Joan L. Krajewski - 6th District . 2010-02-15 . 2010-02-15 . City of Philadelphia official website . City Council, City of Philadelphia .
  5. Web site: 2009 Citizen's Guide . 2009-12-21 . Committee of Seventy . Committee of Seventy . 2009-12-21 . The Committee of Seventy, Philadelphia, PA 19103 . dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20090419063456/http://seventy.org/Downloads/2009_Citizen%27s_Guide.pdf . 2009-04-19 .
  6. http://www.philly.com/philly/news/Former_Philadelphia_Councilwoman_Joan_Krajewski_dies.html?c=r Former Philadelphia Councilwoman Joan Krajewski dies