Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz's Biography
Pa. state Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz was elected to represent Pennsylvania's 129 th Legislative District on November 8, 2022
Cepeda-Freytiz obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the State University of New York at New Paltz College where she majored in French and minored in Spanish. She also obtained a Master of Science in Education degree from Long Island University and became a bilingual Guidance Counselor.
For over 10 years, she worked for Grand Street Settlement and held the position of Program Director for the Beacon Center, a school-based community center located in New York City. In addition to her role as Program Director, she worked part time as the College Counselor for Marta Valle Secondary School.
In 2007 a business opportunity presented itself in Reading, PA. She chose to leave New York to become an entrepreneur/businesswoman. She relocated her family to establish Mi Casa Su Casa Café, located in downtown Reading. Cepeda-Freytiz graduated from Kutztown University Small Business Development Center and Latino Business Resource Center business program in the spring of 2009.
The same year she became recipient of the James Hyson Entrepreneur Award from Community First Fund and in January 2011 she was awarded Businessperson of the Year by the Latino Chamber of Commerce.
In 2017, she received the Girl Scouts of Eastern PA Take the Lead Award. Cepeda-Freytiz also served on the board of directors of Centro Hispano, Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce.
In 2020 received the COVID-19 Hero Award from United Community Services and in 2021, she was awarded Purple Ribbon Business Partner of the Year by the Domestic Shelters Organization. She has served on the Safe Berks (formerly known as Berks Women in Crisis) and on the Reading Public Library Board.
In February 2019, she was appointed Councilwoman for District 6, in Reading. In June 2022 Cepeda-Freytiz became the first woman to serve as President of the Reading City Council, where she served until January 2023 when she took the oath of office in the state Capitol.
Cepeda-Freytiz is a mother of two young adults and lives in Reading with her husband.
State representatives serve in their state's lower legislative chamber. Responsibilities include drafting and voting on state laws, representing their district's interests in the state capitol, serving on state committees, and shaping the state budget. State legislation covers areas like education, healthcare, transportation, criminal justice, and local taxation that directly affect residents' daily lives.