Heads up PA: Allyson Schwartz (MSW) for Governor!

As the democratic primary for governor of Pennsylvania quickly approaches, on May 20, 2014, social workers must band together to support democratic hopeful Allyson Schwartz. As a female political trailblazer in state and federal government and a proud social worker, here are 10 things you should know about Allyson Schwartz:

She earned a B.A. from Simmons College in Sociology and a Masters of Social Work from Bryn Mawr College
She is currently a 5th term US Representative for Pennsylvanian’s 13th Congressional District which represents Northern and North East Philadelphia
She is known as a health care expert and is credited with establishing the first Child Health Insurance Program (CHIP) as a PA State Senator, which became the national model under President Clinton
She is a centrist democrat who is known for finding bi-partisan solutions (like a good social worker does!)
According to her website, her key policy issues are education, employment, health care, women, LGBT rights, voting rights, affordable college, the environment, public transpiration
She sits on the House Budget Committee and Ways & Means Committee
She is on the Social Security and Revenue Measures sub-committees of Ways & Means
Prior to her career in politics she was a health care executive in Philadelphia working to make health insurance more affordable, particularly for low-income children, seniors, and working parents
She has focused her political career on public policy which improve quality of life, most notably Medicaid and Medicare, tax policy, neighborhood revitalization, veterans affairs, and access to quality education
Her mother is a Holocaust survivor and her father is a veteran of the Korean War

She is favored second for the democratic primary next to industry champion Tom Wolf. Incumbent republican governor Tom Corbett is running for re-election and a strong democrat is needed. The primary election is quickly approaching on May 20, 2014 and will be here before we know it. Social Workers must spread the word about Allyson Schwartz and highlight her social work values and experience representing Pennsylvanian’s most vulnerable populations. If nothing else, GET OUT TO THE POLLS MAY 20!!