Joanne Clayton Borders, Member of York City Council

Office of York City Council
101 S. George St.
York, PA 17401
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 509
York, PA 17405

Office: (717) 849-2246
Fax: (717) 849-2329
Home: (717) 846-5363
Email: jborpeace1@aol.com

Council Home

Background

Joanne Clayton Borders, a Democrat, was first elected to York City Council in November 2011 and was officially sworn-in as a member of Council on January 3, 2012. She serves as the Chair of the Public Works Committee of Council, and member of the Police, Fire, and Rules & Administrative Code Committees, and serves as Council's liaison to the Officers' and Employees' Retirement Board.

Joanne was born in York, Pennsylvania to the late Milton and Theresa Clayton on September 11, 1945. Ms. Borders has two younger sisters, Deidre McDonald and Pamela Brownlee. Joanne was an infant when her family moved to Frederick, Maryland. There she lived until returning to York when she was 14 years old and has remained ever since. Joanne raised two fine sons, Vincent M. Clayton and Robert D. Borders, lll; and one lovely daughter, Ervine Hoover. The delights of her heart also include her seven wonderful grandchildren.

Joanne is the 5th District Chair of the Flower Committee and has served this position for eight years. She has served Eight Grand Worthy Matrons.

Joanne is Past Worthy Matron of the Deborah Chapter #26, Order of Eastern Star, Prince Hall Affiliate, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. She was the Worthy Matron during 2000-01 and 2004-05, has served the 5 Star Points, the four elected line-offices, and treasurer for two-years.

Joanne retired from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare (DPW) as an Employment Training Case Worker. During her 30-year career, she served in many capacities and her responsibilities varied widely. She was the PSSU Union Stewart for three years, and in 1998, received the York County Assistance Office, Department of Public Welfare Directors Award for her dedication and exceptional work.

In 1997, Joanne joined the AmeriCorps program with the South George Street Community Partnership, Inc. During this time, she gained a comprehensive understanding of grass roots community development that led her to organize and oversee the Neighborhood Leadership Corps (NLC) for six years. Joanne received training with Leadership York, York County-City Youth Aid Panel. She was the Community Mobilizer for the Salem Square Community Association (SSCA) for four years. Ms. Borders attended training at Temple University’s Institute on Disabilities: Pennsylvania University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Research, Education, and Training Competence and Confidence: Partners in Policymaking (C2P2) Inclusive Education. Joanne has served as the SSCA President and facilitator for the monthly Neighborhood Meetings for 7years. She also worked as a part-time Assistant at the Community Resource Center for the York City Police Department for four years.

For her outstanding dedication and service to her community, Joanne received the York Co. Assistance 1998 Director’s Award. She received the 1999 Pennsylvania Governor’s Award for Outstanding Achievement in Community Crime Prevention. She was one of twenty-three recipients from five hundred nominees across the state. She received the Charles S. Wolf Service Above Self Award in 2001 from the Rotary Club of York. She received an award from Deborah Chapter No. 26 OES PHA for Outstanding Leadership and Dedication in 2001. Joanne received The Dedication of Community Service Award in 2003 from the South George Street Community Partnership. She was honored in 2005 by the York African-American Love Feast for her Community Service. She received the 2008 York Human Relation Award. Joanne is also an alumnus of Leadership York and attended the I-LEAD Leadership training program for the Target Area Local Leadership (TALL) Team of York’s Weed and Seed program. Joanne is a 2009 recipient of the American Red Cross Community Impact Award and Living the Dream Award Leadership from Crispus Attucks Center.

Joanne's impecable community services also included serving as a member of the Board of Directors for the Atkins House and York City Dollars for Scholars and The Neighborhood Alliance Board. She is still actively serving on Keep York Beautiful, working with Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful on special Community Revitalization Projects, Crispus Attucks Community Association, Foundry Plaza Inc., Lincoln Charter School Board, Helen Thackston Middle School Board, and Salem Square Community Association Board. Joanne serves with Responsible Ovarian Awareness Required (ROAR) where she helps to facilitate meetings and lectures for ovarian cancer awareness at Hershey Medical Center, Crispus Attucks Active Living Center and local churches.

Joanne is a dedicated member of the Trinity United Church of Christ where she serves with the Music Committee. Her favorite scripture is Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”