La Salle University is proud of its alumna, Rep. Joanna McClinton (D-Philadelphia), who is slated to be the first woman in Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives to be elected as the House Minority Leader.

“The La Salle University alumna, who serves in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, was elected Nov. 12 by her House Democratic colleagues to serve as the House Minority Leader for the upcoming 2021-22 session,” La Salle reported. 

McClinton is the first woman to have been elected as Minority Leader in the Pennsylvania House, as well as being the first Black lawmaker to hold the position of floor leader in the General Assembly in 43 years. 

“It is very humbling and exciting. It’s a true honor, to serve in this capacity,” said McClinton. “My colleagues chose me to ascend into this position, one with more authority in our caucus and in how their offices are maintained. For that, I am so appreciative.”

McClinton studied political science and leaderhip in global understanding at La Salle. To this day, McClinton has remained connected to the school and this past October she helped to hold a panel of alumni from the school who are in elected-office positions. The panel was held in a Zoom meeting and was a bipartisan gathering. 

“On the same day as McClinton’s appointment, Pennsylvania State Sen. Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland County) was elected as Senate majority leader. This marks the first time in the 244-year history of the General Assembly that the top two legislators are women,” La Salle said. 

McClinton said that she is excited to be working with Ward, who is an acquaintance. 

“We’ve been able to do something that’s never been done before in the Commonwealth. At a certain point, though, it’s less about me and more about paving the way for so many women to come into this space and even higher,” McClinton wrote. “I really do hope that women across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and certainly those in my legislative district, know we can dream big and we can take a leap.”