Saluting Mable E. Welborn, who Stands Strong for The Leon H. Sullivan Charitable Trust

Mable E. Welborn, if you don’t know the name, you should.

- Thera Martir

When I think about African American women at the top of their game who have been making a difference in a positive way for many years in the city of Philadelphia, Mable Welborn is a name that comes to mind. Putting it simply, Mable Welborn ain’t no joke! She’s the real 'authentic' example of what a strong African American woman is.

As far as I’m concerned, Mable Welborn represents the epitome of everything that Rev. R. Leon Sullivan, the Lion of Zion stood for. Just to give you a little bit of history for those of you who may be reading this column and are not familiar with some of Philadelphia’s history, Rev. Leon Sullivan was the Pastor of Zion Baptist Church at Broad and Venango in North Philadelphia for many years. He was also the founder of O.I.C., Opportunities Industrialization Centers of America, O.I.C. International, and O.I.C. Philadelphia.

Thursday, March 14, 2024, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker delivered her first budget address before Philadelphia City Council, and Mable Welborn was one of the women of our city who looked on with great pride and interest. For a woman who has lived more than seven decades, it was with great joy that Welborn hung on to the mayor’s every word.