Honoring Anita

Anita Santos-Singh, Founding Executive Director of Philadelphia Legal Assistance and legal services advocate for 34 years, passed away on 
January 13, 2024, at the age of 59. Anita was one of the brightest lights of the Philadelphia legal community, laser-focused on bringing life-changing legal assistance to low-income and vulnerable Philadelphians.

Originally from Brownsville, Texas, Anita came to Philadelphia in 1982 to attend the University of Pennsylvania as an undergraduate student. After graduating from the University of Michigan Law School in 1989, she returned to Philadelphia, where she would devote her legal and leadership talents to those most in need and least able to afford an attorney. 



Anita began her legal career as a housing attorney at Community Legal Services in 1989, protecting homeowners facing mortgage foreclosure and the loss of their homes. Widely admired by her colleagues, Anita was tapped, at the age of 32, to become the founding Executive Director of Philadelphia Legal Assistance in 1996, a new organization created to serve Philadelphia’s 
poor with federal funds.  

In addition to Anita’s deep commitment, she brought many talents to her daily work: intense drive, vision, wisdom, and inclusiveness. Never satisfied with the status quo, she sought every opportunity to expand PLA’s reach and services. She forged vital collaborations with community organizations, non-profits, governmental entities, and grassroots communities to reach people where they were and to empower them to successfully navigate the difficult and sometimes life-threatening challenges they faced.  

Anita was a lover of live music, travel, knitting, and Rafael Nadal. She loved to laugh out loud, to dance, and to enjoy good food. She was thoughtful, kind, inquisitive, and loving. She was a role model, mentor, coach and innovator.