For West Chester Woman, Sisterhood Sit-In Trolley Tour Was About New Experiences, People, and Support

A West Chester woman decided to head to Philadelphia for a Sisterhood Sit-In Trolley tour, writes Elizabeth Wellington for The Philadelphia Inquirer. 

Jacqui Rothera joined the tour to support Black-owned businesses, but it was also great way to expand her network.

“I thought this was a great opportunity to be introduced to new people, new experiences, and support Black women-owned businesses,” she said.

The goal of the two-hour shopping tour named after Rosa Parks‘ defiance is to “celebrate Black businesses, Black womanhood, Black sisterhood and maybe learn about some places we’ve never been to before,” said tour guide Sequoia “Starfire” Starre. 

The tour visits half a dozen Black-owned businesses along the Cherry Street Pier and Baltimore Avenue. It was started by Jeannine Cook, who owns sister bookshops Harriett’s in Fishtown and Ida’s in Collingswood. 

Cook launched the tour last year in February, and it was so successful that she decided to bring it back this year. The tour sells out each week, which has prompted Cook to extend it through April 15. She is also considering expanding it to other parts of Philadelphia. 

Read more about the Sisterhood Sit-In Trolley in The Philadelphia Inquirer. 

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