Helen Ubiñas
@notesfromhel.bsky.social
Journalist. Writer. Content creator – or whatever the hip term is now. Founder, Ñ Fund for Latinas in Journalism.
There are truly no words of thanks adequate enough for the kind notes many of you have taken the time to send about my departure from the Philadelphia Inquirer. I was (barely) holding it together — and then one of you wrote me a letter. 🥹❤️🥹 caterinaroman.substack.com/p/an-ode-to-...
An Ode to Philadelphia Inquirer Columnist Helen Ubiñas: A Voice Philadelphia (Government) Couldn’t Ignore
Shaping the conversation on gun violence and public accountability in Philadelphia.
caterinaroman.substack.com
July 18, 2025 at 6:23 PM
There are truly no words of thanks adequate enough for the kind notes many of you have taken the time to send about my departure from the Philadelphia Inquirer. I was (barely) holding it together — and then one of you wrote me a letter. 🥹❤️🥹 caterinaroman.substack.com/p/an-ode-to-...
Reposted by Helen Ubiñas
Congratulations to @helenubinas.bsky.social on a great run @inquirer.com and the Philly Daily News, and moving on to a building a great, important foundation! www.inquirer.com/opinion/hele...
Thank you, Philadelphia. It’s been a privilege to tell your stories | Helen Ubiñas
After 30 years in journalism, I'm dedicating some time to growing The Ñ Fund for Latinas in Journalism, among other projects.
www.inquirer.com
July 15, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Congratulations to @helenubinas.bsky.social on a great run @inquirer.com and the Philly Daily News, and moving on to a building a great, important foundation! www.inquirer.com/opinion/hele...
Reposted by Helen Ubiñas
Gutted and heartbroken that @helenubinas.bsky.social is leaving the @inquirer.com . But I will find her writing to read in whatever form or on whatever platform she does it. No exaggeration, she is one of the very best. www.inquirer.com/opinion/hele...
Thank you, Philadelphia. It’s been a privilege to tell your stories | Helen Ubiñas
After 30 years in journalism, I'm dedicating some time to growing The Ñ Fund for Latinas in Journalism, among other projects.
www.inquirer.com
July 15, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Gutted and heartbroken that @helenubinas.bsky.social is leaving the @inquirer.com . But I will find her writing to read in whatever form or on whatever platform she does it. No exaggeration, she is one of the very best. www.inquirer.com/opinion/hele...
Reposted by Helen Ubiñas
A newspaper columnist who cared about our city enough to keep battling to make it better. Thanks for speaking up when others wouldn’t, @helenubinas.bsky.social.
“I am so proud of so much of what we accomplished together. Yes, we, because no one — no single activist or politician or columnist — can have any kind of impact if their community doesn’t have their back. And Philly, you’ve had my back for more than a decade now.” — Inquirer columnist Helen Ubiñas
Thank you, Philadelphia. It’s been a privilege to tell your stories | Helen Ubiñas
After 30 years in journalism, I'm dedicating some time to growing The Ñ Fund for Latinas in Journalism, among other projects.
inquirer.com
July 15, 2025 at 6:52 PM
A newspaper columnist who cared about our city enough to keep battling to make it better. Thanks for speaking up when others wouldn’t, @helenubinas.bsky.social.
You were, and are, a force of your own. Thank you, Joel.
July 18, 2025 at 6:15 PM
You were, and are, a force of your own. Thank you, Joel.
Reposted by Helen Ubiñas
If any newspaper columnist in the post-newspaper age deserved the title "conscience of the city," it was @helenubinas.bsky.social. She deserves to move on and try to build something new and important, but she (and @willbunch.bsky.social) were the folks I measured myself against in Philly.
Gutted and heartbroken that @helenubinas.bsky.social is leaving the @inquirer.com . But I will find her writing to read in whatever form or on whatever platform she does it. No exaggeration, she is one of the very best. www.inquirer.com/opinion/hele...
Thank you, Philadelphia. It’s been a privilege to tell your stories | Helen Ubiñas
After 30 years in journalism, I'm dedicating some time to growing The Ñ Fund for Latinas in Journalism, among other projects.
www.inquirer.com
July 15, 2025 at 6:56 PM
If any newspaper columnist in the post-newspaper age deserved the title "conscience of the city," it was @helenubinas.bsky.social. She deserves to move on and try to build something new and important, but she (and @willbunch.bsky.social) were the folks I measured myself against in Philly.
Reposted by Helen Ubiñas
I've been really proud to subscribe to my local paper since I moved to Philadelphia 15 years ago, and @helenubinas.bsky.social's work has been a big reason why.
“I am so proud of so much of what we accomplished together. Yes, we, because no one — no single activist or politician or columnist — can have any kind of impact if their community doesn’t have their back. And Philly, you’ve had my back for more than a decade now.” — Inquirer columnist Helen Ubiñas
Thank you, Philadelphia. It’s been a privilege to tell your stories | Helen Ubiñas
After 30 years in journalism, I'm dedicating some time to growing The Ñ Fund for Latinas in Journalism, among other projects.
inquirer.com
July 15, 2025 at 7:23 PM
I've been really proud to subscribe to my local paper since I moved to Philadelphia 15 years ago, and @helenubinas.bsky.social's work has been a big reason why.
Reposted by Helen Ubiñas
This is a enormous loss for the Inquirer and Philadelphia. @helenubinas.bsky.social pushed the city — its elected leaders, its community groups, its journalists — to better serve residents who needed the most and asked for the least: gun violence survivors and homicide victims’ relatives.
Thank you, Philadelphia. It’s been a privilege to tell your stories | Helen Ubiñas
After 30 years in journalism, I'm dedicating some time to growing The Ñ Fund for Latinas in Journalism, among other projects.
www.inquirer.com
July 16, 2025 at 2:21 PM
This is a enormous loss for the Inquirer and Philadelphia. @helenubinas.bsky.social pushed the city — its elected leaders, its community groups, its journalists — to better serve residents who needed the most and asked for the least: gun violence survivors and homicide victims’ relatives.
Reposted by Helen Ubiñas
Thank YOU, @helenubinas.bsky.social, for comforting Philly's afflicted, afflicting Philly's comfortable, and, always, speaking truth to power. This city we love is better for your writing about it.
“I am so proud of so much of what we accomplished together. Yes, we, because no one — no single activist or politician or columnist — can have any kind of impact if their community doesn’t have their back. And Philly, you’ve had my back for more than a decade now.” — Inquirer columnist Helen Ubiñas
Thank you, Philadelphia. It’s been a privilege to tell your stories | Helen Ubiñas
After 30 years in journalism, I'm dedicating some time to growing The Ñ Fund for Latinas in Journalism, among other projects.
inquirer.com
July 15, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Thank YOU, @helenubinas.bsky.social, for comforting Philly's afflicted, afflicting Philly's comfortable, and, always, speaking truth to power. This city we love is better for your writing about it.
Reposted by Helen Ubiñas
“We lost him,” he told me. “We lost our light.”
Heartbreaking column from @notesfromhel.bsky.social, who has written for years about Azir Harris, his family, and the long, endless toll of gun violence in Philadelphia:
Heartbreaking column from @notesfromhel.bsky.social, who has written for years about Azir Harris, his family, and the long, endless toll of gun violence in Philadelphia:
I met Azir Harris after he was paralyzed in a shooting in 2018. Gunfire early Monday claimed his life. | Helen Ubiñas
To learn he was one of four people killed early Monday, gunned down at a Grays Ferry block party, felt like a punch in the gut. This is the column I never wanted to write.
www.inquirer.com
July 8, 2025 at 1:23 PM
“We lost him,” he told me. “We lost our light.”
Heartbreaking column from @notesfromhel.bsky.social, who has written for years about Azir Harris, his family, and the long, endless toll of gun violence in Philadelphia:
Heartbreaking column from @notesfromhel.bsky.social, who has written for years about Azir Harris, his family, and the long, endless toll of gun violence in Philadelphia:
Reposted by Helen Ubiñas
A devastating account: "A young father who was paralyzed in a shooting in 2018, and who had become an advocate for survivors of gun violence, was among those killed early Monday after gunfire erupted," by @ellierushing.bsky.social and @notesfromhel.bsky.social : www.inquirer.com/crime/azir-h...
Young father and paralyzed gun violence survivor among those killed in Grays Ferry shooting, family says
Azir Harris was paralyzed in a shooting in 2018 and had spent years sharing his recovery journey with Inquirer columnist Helen Ubiñas. He was killed in South Philadelphia Monday morning.
www.inquirer.com
July 8, 2025 at 1:57 PM
A devastating account: "A young father who was paralyzed in a shooting in 2018, and who had become an advocate for survivors of gun violence, was among those killed early Monday after gunfire erupted," by @ellierushing.bsky.social and @notesfromhel.bsky.social : www.inquirer.com/crime/azir-h...
Reposted by Helen Ubiñas
A really tragic column from @notesfromhel.bsky.social on the gun violence that took the life of a young man who she had written about years earlier when he was paralyzed in another shooting . share.inquirer.com/ltWR0B
I met Azir Harris after he was paralyzed in a shooting in 2018. Gunfire early Monday claimed his life. | Helen Ubiñas
To learn he was one of four people killed early Monday, gunned down at a Grays Ferry block party, felt like a punch in the gut. This is the column I never wanted to write.
share.inquirer.com
July 8, 2025 at 9:10 PM
A really tragic column from @notesfromhel.bsky.social on the gun violence that took the life of a young man who she had written about years earlier when he was paralyzed in another shooting . share.inquirer.com/ltWR0B
Reposted by Helen Ubiñas
You really MUST read this new @notesfromhel.bsky.social column! (Bonus: other #superman references)
www.inquirer.com/opinion/mayo...
www.inquirer.com/opinion/mayo...
The trash strike threatened to turn into Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s kryptonite | Helen Ubiñas
The mayor is unstoppable on the mic, unflappable in a debate, and almost always armed with a snappy slogan, but the 8-day strike proved to be her biggest adversary yet.
www.inquirer.com
July 9, 2025 at 1:05 PM
You really MUST read this new @notesfromhel.bsky.social column! (Bonus: other #superman references)
www.inquirer.com/opinion/mayo...
www.inquirer.com/opinion/mayo...
Reposted by Helen Ubiñas
A really affecting column by @notesfromhel.bsky.social: "To learn [Azir Harris] was one of four people killed early Monday, gunned down at a Grays Ferry block party, felt like a punch in the gut. This is the column I never wanted to write."
www.inquirer.com/opinion/azir...
www.inquirer.com/opinion/azir...
I met Azir Harris after he was paralyzed in a shooting in 2018. Gunfire early Monday claimed his life. | Helen Ubiñas
To learn he was one of four people killed early Monday, gunned down at a Grays Ferry block party, felt like a punch in the gut. This is the column I never wanted to write.
www.inquirer.com
July 7, 2025 at 10:30 PM
A really affecting column by @notesfromhel.bsky.social: "To learn [Azir Harris] was one of four people killed early Monday, gunned down at a Grays Ferry block party, felt like a punch in the gut. This is the column I never wanted to write."
www.inquirer.com/opinion/azir...
www.inquirer.com/opinion/azir...
Reposted by Helen Ubiñas
She showed up to her lifeguard job prepared & excited. Then she was told not to wear the swim cover-up in keeping with her Muslim faith. "The 16-year-old didn’t expect to be thrust into the role of accidental activist," columnist @notesfromhel.bsky.social writes.
www.inquirer.com/opinion/musl...
www.inquirer.com/opinion/musl...
Faith, fabric, and fairness: From Philly lifeguard to accidental activist | Helen Ubiñas
City policies must be clear, consistently enforced, and fairly applied. Otherwise, they create confusion, resentment, and a sense of exclusion.
www.inquirer.com
July 2, 2025 at 6:26 PM
She showed up to her lifeguard job prepared & excited. Then she was told not to wear the swim cover-up in keeping with her Muslim faith. "The 16-year-old didn’t expect to be thrust into the role of accidental activist," columnist @notesfromhel.bsky.social writes.
www.inquirer.com/opinion/musl...
www.inquirer.com/opinion/musl...
My lawd, the defensiveness emanating from this city press conference on the potential work stoppage.
a woman in a green shirt says yikes
ALT: a woman in a green shirt says yikes
media.tenor.com
June 30, 2025 at 7:09 PM
My lawd, the defensiveness emanating from this city press conference on the potential work stoppage.
Have you heard? Bad Bunny & I are in the same book club😉 www.inquirer.com/opinion/puer...
Boricua history with a Bad Bunny twist | Helen Ubiñas
In a crossover between academia and pop culture, the Puerto Rican megastar has blessed the book "Puerto Rico: A National History" by Jorell Meléndez-Badillo — essential reading in Philly and beyond.
www.inquirer.com
June 13, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Have you heard? Bad Bunny & I are in the same book club😉 www.inquirer.com/opinion/puer...
Reposted by Helen Ubiñas
"Citizenship doesn’t guarantee equality,” Meléndez-Badillo told @notesfromhel.bsky.social . “We’re still marginalized in political spaces and circles of power — even though we have the numbers."
www.inquirer.com/opinion/puer...
www.inquirer.com/opinion/puer...
Boricua history with a Bad Bunny twist | Helen Ubiñas
In a crossover between academia and pop culture, the Puerto Rican megastar has blessed the book "Puerto Rico: A National History" by Jorell Meléndez-Badillo — essential reading in Philly and beyond.
www.inquirer.com
June 13, 2025 at 10:33 AM
"Citizenship doesn’t guarantee equality,” Meléndez-Badillo told @notesfromhel.bsky.social . “We’re still marginalized in political spaces and circles of power — even though we have the numbers."
www.inquirer.com/opinion/puer...
www.inquirer.com/opinion/puer...
Oof, when the ghost of administration’s past speaks out more forcefully on pressing immigration issues than the present administration…https://www.inquirer.com/politics/philadelphia/kenney-philadelphia-sanctuary-cities-trump-20250610.html
Former Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney: Sanctuary cities are ‘common sense’
Kenney has not commented on Parker’s handling of the situation, but his op-ed compelled Democratic leaders to uphold "welcoming values."
www.inquirer.com
June 11, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Oof, when the ghost of administration’s past speaks out more forcefully on pressing immigration issues than the present administration…https://www.inquirer.com/politics/philadelphia/kenney-philadelphia-sanctuary-cities-trump-20250610.html
It’s a rolling shit storm of awfulness…
June 9, 2025 at 10:16 PM
It’s a rolling shit storm of awfulness…
Imagine if all these politicians live tweeting or blueskying their shock, disgust and anger over Felon 47’s fascist power grab actually used their power and DID SOMETHING about it!!??
June 9, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Imagine if all these politicians live tweeting or blueskying their shock, disgust and anger over Felon 47’s fascist power grab actually used their power and DID SOMETHING about it!!??
2018: The cruelty is the point.
2025: The hypocrisy is the point.
2025: The hypocrisy is the point.
June 9, 2025 at 10:10 PM
2018: The cruelty is the point.
2025: The hypocrisy is the point.
2025: The hypocrisy is the point.
On second thought, I think 🤔The Don of Decorum 🤗has a nicer ring to it. As you were…
This story seriously made me LOL. Reply-all is the devil. Council President Kenyatta Johnson shall henceforth be known as the Director of Decorum. And
Jamie Gauthier should probably be nominated for a (digital) Nobel Peace Prize. www.inquirer.com/politics/phi...
Jamie Gauthier should probably be nominated for a (digital) Nobel Peace Prize. www.inquirer.com/politics/phi...
oprah winfrey says you get a chill pill you get a chill pill everybody get a chill pill
ALT: oprah winfrey says you get a chill pill you get a chill pill everybody get a chill pill
media.tenor.com
June 4, 2025 at 7:07 PM
On second thought, I think 🤔The Don of Decorum 🤗has a nicer ring to it. As you were…
This story seriously made me LOL. Reply-all is the devil. Council President Kenyatta Johnson shall henceforth be known as the Director of Decorum. And
Jamie Gauthier should probably be nominated for a (digital) Nobel Peace Prize. www.inquirer.com/politics/phi...
Jamie Gauthier should probably be nominated for a (digital) Nobel Peace Prize. www.inquirer.com/politics/phi...
oprah winfrey says you get a chill pill you get a chill pill everybody get a chill pill
ALT: oprah winfrey says you get a chill pill you get a chill pill everybody get a chill pill
media.tenor.com
June 3, 2025 at 10:26 PM
This story seriously made me LOL. Reply-all is the devil. Council President Kenyatta Johnson shall henceforth be known as the Director of Decorum. And
Jamie Gauthier should probably be nominated for a (digital) Nobel Peace Prize. www.inquirer.com/politics/phi...
Jamie Gauthier should probably be nominated for a (digital) Nobel Peace Prize. www.inquirer.com/politics/phi...