Honorees
This year, the winners of our Thaddeus Stevens Award are three close partners of the Public Interest Law Center who have stood tirelessly alongside our neighbors in Philadelphia. Each has worked to make our city better by standing strong for fundamental civil, social and economic rights: quality housing, freedom from gun violence, spaces to learn and play, and so much more.
- The Organizing Committee of Renters United Philadelphia / Inquilinxs en la Lucha Philadelphia
- Saul Ewing
- Estelle Richman
The Organizing Committee of Renters United Philadelphia / Inquilinxs en la Lucha Philadelphia
Renters United / Inquilinxs en la Lucha Philadelphia (RUP) was launched by the Law Center in 2019 to organize and educate renters to fight for their right to quality housing. Through RUP, tenants organize to build the collective power needed to solve their particular housing concerns, using a variety of strategies including direct action. All these strategies are developed and led by an organizing committee of renters who stand up for their rights and the rights of their neighbors, creating campaigns that have won much-needed repairs, lease renewals and more. RUP has also stood with tenants citywide to advocate for meaningful policy change, like proactive housing safety inspections.
Led by the organizing committee, RUP continued to grow even through the pandemic, and now counts more than 160 renters as members. In 2023, after more than four years of growth and development, RUP joined OnePA’s citywide housing justice network and now operates independently of the Law Center. We continue to collaborate closely with RUP, including through monthly renters’ right clinics attended by our attorneys and interns, who provide free Know-Your-Rights trainings and consultations.
Saul Ewing
Saul Ewing has been an indispensable partner of the Law Center in cases and representations that aim to make Philadelphia a better and safer place to live. Last year, with Fred Strober, they joined us in representing Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club, which has taught thousands of Philadelphia children and young adults how to ride and care for horses, to secure a new space for its horse to graze. Their efforts helped lead to the opening of brand new stables and grazing fields for the horses in Fairmount park.
Ned Rahn and Kevin Levy joined us in the 2020 Armstrong case, representing Philadelphians who have lost loved ones to gun violence in an effort to preserve Philadelphia’s lost and stolen gun ordinance–a tool to curb illegal straw purchasing of handguns that fuels gun violence. The firm’s history with the Law Center runs deep: former managing partner Bob Sayre (1916-2006) was a founder and early Board chair.
Estelle Richman
For decades, Estelle Richman has been a champion in public service for the values that Law Center stands for. With the City of Philadelphia, Estelle was managing director, director of social services, commissioner of public health, and deputy commissioner for mental health services. She also served as chief operating officer of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development under President Obama, Pennsylvania secretary of welfare, a member of the School Reform Commission, and sole board member of the Philadelphia Housing Authority. And she came out of retirement to become executive director of the Civic Coalition to Save Lives, which focuses on evidence-based and sustainable strategies to reduce gun violence in Philadelphia.
Master of Ceremonies
David Dye
David Dye is a longtime Philadelphia radio personality whose music enthusiasm has captivated listeners of World Cafe® since 1991. World Cafe is produced by WXPN, the public radio service of the University of Pennsylvania.
Dye launched his distinguished broadcasting career as host of a progressive music show on WMMR 93.3 FM, a pioneering progressive rock station in Philadelphia. During his four-year tenure, Dye won accolades for his taste and laid back presentation. After a five-year stint programming radio stations in Maine, he returned to Philadelphia where he gained public radio experience at WHYY before being recruited in 1981 by alternative rock station WIOQ 102.1 FM where he made his mark on the music scene for nearly a decade.
In 1989, Dye took his musical quest to WXPN where he hosted the station’s Sleepy Hollow radio program. Two years later, Dye was asked to spearhead research on the viability of a new public radio program. The research revealed an audience need for a new kind of musical format – one that was intelligent, diverse and would give musical guests a showcase for their artistic expression. Based on the findings, Dye went to work to create a unique program of musical discovery where listeners would be introduced to an eclectic blend of contemporary sounds from legendary and up-and-coming artists. World Cafe was born.
Dye is the founding host of World Cafe, which launched in 1991. During his tenure as host, Dye brought out the best in interviews with internationally known artists such as Yo-Yo Ma and Joni Mitchell. He conducted nearly 4,500 interviews during his over 20 years with the program. In 2017 Dye took on a new role as contributing host with the program.
World Cafe and Dye have received numerous awards including: two NFCB Gold Reel Awards, Album Network’s “Best Triple A Air Talent,” five Philadelphia Magazine‘s “Best of Philly Awards,” the Philadelphia Chapter of NARAS “Hero Award,” the ASCAP Deems Taylor Award and numerous radio industry trade magazine citations. In 2006, Dye was named the “Triple A Air Personality of the Year” by Radio & Records.
Entertainment
York Street Hustle
Each week, ten musicians arrive at a former South Philadelphia funeral home where, one by one, they unload their old tube amps and vintage gear. Once inside, the classic sounds of the 1960s are reinvigorated, re-energized and reborn. Legends, like Stevie, Aretha and the Four Tops; lesser-known artists including Donny Hathaway, Arthur Conley and Betty Everett – all are given new life. In a few short years the York Street Hustle has gone from filling tiny South Street bars to repeated sell outs of World Cafe Live. Their repertoire now spans over 80 songs including more than a decade worth of Detroit, Memphis and Chicago soul. This is not your typical Motown wedding band. With grit, sweat, and attention to detail, The York Street Hustle is the Northeast’s premier 10-piece 1960s soul tribute.
