Former Philadelphia Councilwoman dies at age 81

An African-American trailblazer in Philadelphia City Council has passed away. 

Augusta Clark, better known as “Gussie” was only the second African-American woman elected to Philadelphia City Council.  She spent two decades there, fighting mostly for education issues. 

Mayor Michael Nutter served with Clark when he was on city council.  He calls her a unifying force.”Even when she was from time to time dressing us down, and I came in in ’92 you are young and full of energy, and know a whole lot of stuff or think you do,” Nutter said. “Sometimes publically and mostly private, Gussie would let you know what you knew and what you didn’t know you would learn those lessons, and you wouldn’t make that mistake twice.”Council President Darrell Clarke says when he first sought elected office, many mistakenly thought he was Gussie’s son.  He says that sometimes he was tempted not to set people straight.Gussie Clark was 81 when she died on Sunday.  She is survived by a son, a daughter and four grandchildren.