Senator Dana L. Redd
Senator Dana L. Redd (D-Camden) will be the keynote speaker at the Annual Membership Meeting of the Advocacy Network on Wednesday January 14, 2009. She is one of the two prime Senate sponsors of S2354, the Homeless Trust Fund legislation. She is also Vice-Chair of the Senate Community and Urban Affairs committee.
On December 8, 2008, when the Senate Community and Urban Affairs committee voted 4-0 to approve the legislation and refer it to the Senate, she spoke passionately about the importance of the bill. She spoke about Foster Dunlap, a former Harvard Law professor who became homeless and died spending the night outside in Camden in subzero weather. She said “my vote is for Foster Dunalp a homeless person who would otherwise be forgotten and all of the others who are homeless and need our help.”
Dana L. Redd is a lifelong resident of Camden City, who has spent the majority of her career working in the public sector since 1990. Born in 1968, Dana suffered the loss of both her parents at the age of eight. Raised by her grandparents in Waterfront South neighborhood, she attended Sacred Heart Grammar School, Center City Catholic Junior High and is a 1986 graduate of Bishop Eustace Preparatory High School in Pennsauken.
After graduating high school, Dana worked during the day to help raise her younger brother, while attending college part-time at night. A graduate of Rutgers University – Camden Campus, Ms. Redd earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Studies in 1996. She is the former Chief of Staff for Camden County Freeholder, Riletta Cream and former Director of Operations under the Department of Buildings & Operations for Camden County government until resigning from the position in January 2008. Presently, Ms. Redd is a full time legislator, serving in the 213th Session as State Senator representing the 5th Legislative District along with Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts, Jr. and Assemblywoman Nilsa Cruz Perez.
Dana’s driving force and personal inspiration has been her father, Ronald, and his expressed belief in Camden’s renewal and renaissance. He urged the family not to leave because the city was slated to experience a “comeback.” She firmly believes in the City Invincible, and it is to this end, that she serves the community.
Through her work as a public servant, Ms. Redd remains very passionate about empowering the lives of others, strengthening families and communities through partnerships and programs that offer an improved quality of life. Her favorite quote is taken from Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to the US Congress, who said it best: “Service is the rent you pay for room on this earth,” and Luke 12:48 “To who much is given, much is required.”
For more information on Senator Redd click here.
