HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — Days after the chairman of the commission resigned, the Vice-Chair of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission is leaving as well.
Dr. Raquel Yiengst stepped down after more than four decades of service. She was originally appointed to the commission in 1978.
“While we are saddened to see Dr. Yiengst step away from the Commission, we celebrate the enormous impact of her career,” said PHRC Executive Director Chad Dion Lassiter, MSW. “Working alongside Dr. Yiengst these past eight years has been a privilege. She has been one of the strongest champions of our social justice vision and the initiatives we have pursued to advance equity across the Commonwealth. Her wisdom, courage, and steadfast belief in the work have inspired me personally and strengthened this Commission exponentially. She consistently reminded us that the pursuit of equity is ongoing work. Her contributions will continue to guide the PHRC well into the future.”
Yiengst received the Homer C. Floyd Award from the PHRC in 2019 and has received numerous other distinctions, including the Lifetime Achievement Amigo Award from the Hispanic Center of Reading and Berks County as well as the Take the Lead Award from the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania.
She had also served as director of Bilingual Education for the Reading School District.
Her departure follows the resignation of Joel Bolstein. He had been chairman since 2016 and a member of the commission since 1999. He resigned last week.
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Yiengst’s resignation leaves the PHRC with five commissioners out of a possible 11.
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