Candidate for
Council Member; City of Pittsburgh; District 9; Democratic Party

Phyllis Copeland-Mitchell's Biography

Up-bringing and Education

Phyllis, along with her sister were raised by their mother and father, Mr. and Mrs. John Copeland. Her parents and grandmother are long-time residents of Homewood. Phyllis is a true daughter of Pittsburgh. She resided in Larimer and the Garfield sections of District 9, the Hill District, and is currently a long-time resident of the Lincoln/Lemington community. Phyllis learned first-hand the countless blessings of family, the importance of an education, and the value of hard work and opportunity. She attended business school and earned an A.B.A. in Business Administration from Wheeler School of Business, Pittsburgh, PA and a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Point Park University, Pittsburgh, PA; She has received Certification in: Family Development, School of Education, University of Pittsburgh, Office of Child Development, Pittsburgh, PA

Professional Career Helping Families

Phyllis cares deeply about improving our quality of life. She has committed over two decades of her life to social services, using the Self-Sufficiency Standard to improve the lives of numerous individuals and families struggling with the aftermath of physical abuse, drug and alcohol addiction, and offender's re-entry into society.

Phyllis' passion for building strong and diverse networks as well as her exceptional ability to manage multiple projects successfully will result in positive outcomes for our district. As your City Councilor she will serve as an advocate for inclusive solutions to District 9 challenges. With your input, Phyllis will Represent the District not Run it.

Experience

Phyllis served for 18 years as a Case Manager, 13 years as a Supervisor, and 2 years as a Residential Correction's Facility Manger. Her duties included Case-management, Budget Control and Financial Literacy Oversight, as well as serving as the Monitor and Job Retention Coordinator (86%, 3-yr. retention success rate).

Community Service

Phyllis is incredibly proud of her nationally recognized work with the Young Mother's Program, the Hill House Association and the Nationally Renowned GAPS Initiative Program (Welfare-to-Work, featured in the Pittsburgh Foundation's Annual Report; and for Mentoring Young Mothers, featured in the New York Times.)

Phyllis also has facilitated financial literacy and life skills classes for job readiness/welfare-to-work participants for Pittsburgh Community Services and coaching classes at Our Daughter's Place for young women ages 12-18.

Phyllis is a major contributor to the Light of Life Rescue Mission and United Way.

Personal Life

Phyllis loves sports, especially Basketball and Football. She is a huge STEELERS fan. Community service is her passion. Her reward is watching the many individuals she has worked with achieve successful careers and fulfilling lives.

Phyllis is the wife of a Retired Master Sergeant, U.S. Air Force, with 22-years of service; the mother of one son, who attended Peabody High School and graduated from Perry High School and Lynn University, Boca Raton, Florida.

Phyllis is a graduate of Schenley High School, has served as a business consultant for multiple organizations, and is an entrepreneur, having started her own gift-basket business.