Women's Month Edition The Port City Review March 2023

05. vanessa t a ylo r 07. charlena b r o wn 08. Dr. Toni a h o wa r d -h a ll 09. Natalyn B a t e s M o r r i s 11. P astor Jo yce C. H a ll 12.women i n wa r e ho u s i ng 13. Dr. Ann Le vi t t 15. Rebecc a t a nne r r u s s e l l 16. Diana H a r ve y Jo h ns o n 17. Lilian gr a nt B a pt i s t e 18. Debbie jo h ns o n 19, Artlise a ls t o ne -co ne 20. Wendy B u lle ns 21. P atric i a Ha r r i s 22, tiffany d e nni s la nca s te r 23. Betty Jo ne s 24. anne a lle n we s t b r o o k 25. coco gu t h r i e pa py 26. sonya ja ck s o n 27 sabriya s co t t 28. margo b a R B E E 29. delores s cr e e n d a ni e ls 30. julia pe a r ce 31. queen q u e t 32. ambria b e r k s t e i ne r 33. gabrie lle ne ls o n 34. lisa ru nd s t r o m 35. vaughne t t e go o d e -wa lk e r 36. tammy s t o k e s 37. tammy m o s le y 39. flauja e jo h ns o n

04

Vanessa Taylor

Commu n i ty A cti v i st W ho said So cial M e d i a I s n ’ t T he N e w s? W e l l , V a n e ssa Ta y l or i s sh owing t he w o r ld wh at o ne wo man can d o wi t h a c a m e r a a n d a p a ssi on for h e r c o mmun i ty and h er peopl e . Go a n y whe re t o a n e v e n t i n Ch a t h a m Cou n t y a n d part s o f N o r t h G eorgia, an d i f y o u d o n ’ t s e e V a n e ssa Ta y l or t h e r e , t h e n i t ’s p r ob a bly no t n ewsw orthy. In S a v an n a h/ C hatham Cou n t y sh e ’s on e v e r y sc e n e r e p or t ing via s o c i al m ed ia, all the i mpo rtan t e v e n t s t h a t sh ou l d m a t t e r t o ou r c om m unit y. I n th e At l anta/ North Ge o rgi a are a, s h e ’s c on n e c t e d t o J u n e t e e n t h A t l a n t a, and t o b i g st ars in th e mus i c an d f i l m i n du st r y , h e r fa v or i t e b e i n g M r . Lou G os s e t t Jr h i msel f . Mainstre a m M e d i a d o e s n ot r e p or t fa i r l y t o a l l se g m e n t s o f t he c o mm un ity, bu t V an e s s a i s us ua l l y on t h e sc e n e t o d e l i v e r Ou r N e w s t o e v e ryo ne .

I f y ou need to co n n e ct wi th an y bo d y i n a n y i n d u st r y , a p h on e c a l l t o V a ne s s a is a l l you need to m ake . He r n e two rk of c on t a c t s i s l i m i t l e ss. S h e ’s oft e n r e f e rre d to a s Ai r, becaus e s he ’ s e v e ry whe re . S h e ’s a l so t h e se c r e t a r y of B E M A , t he Blac k E mp owerm ent Mov e me n t A s s o ci ati on , a n d si t s on se v e r a l b oa r d s a c r oss t he s t at e .

05

06

C h arlen a B r o w n

C har lena Brown has o v e r thi rty y e a r s i n b u si n e ss w i t h e x t e n si v e e x p e rie nc e in c ons ulting and co a chi n g. A s e l f - s t a r t e r , sh e h a s a l w a y s b e e n d r i v e n t o be an e nt r epreneur an d cre ate o ppo rtun i t i e s for ot h e r p e op l e . H e r fi r st st a r t as an e nt r epreneur wa s as the o wn e r an d g e n e r a l m a n a g e r of t w o r e st a u r a n t s , C har li e Bro wn's Re s taura n t a n d Se a food a n d Ch i c k e n . A ft e r b e i n g i n t he rest aurant ind u s try f o r o v e r two d e c a d e s, M r s. Br ow n d e c i d e d t o t r y h er hand i n a new career i n ma n uf a cturi n g. On e w e e k e n d , a l i fe c h a n g i n g i n ju r y wo uld l eave her u nable to re turn to he r n e w c a r e e r , a n d b a c k t o h e r or i g i n a l fo undati on of entrepre n e urs hi p.

D ur ing reco very s he a n d he r hus ba n d , Ch a r l i e B r ow n , w e r e a b l e t o c r e a t e a b us i ness plan f o r Go o d Se rv i ce , L LC. I n 20 04, G ood S e r v i c e , LLC w ou l d be a war d ed a co ntra ct to ma n a ge the S a v a n n a h E n t r e p r e n e u r i a l Ce n t e r for t he C i t y of Savannah. Go o d Se rv i ce , L LC w ou l d m a n a g e t h e S a v a n n a h E nt r epreneurial C e n te r f o r e i ght y e a r s. A s t h e m a n a g i n g c om p a n y a n d D i r ec t or, Mrs. Bro wn wo ul d pl ace g r e a t e m p h a si s on t h e i m p or t a n c e of having a b us i ness plan , whi l e maki n g e n t r e p r e n e u r sh i p a n e a sy c on c e p t t o u nde rs t and thr ough classes an d re al l i f e e xpe r i e n c e .

She was able to he l p hun d re d s o f b u si n e sse s w r i t e b u si n e ss p l a n s a n d o pe n b us i nesses. Bu s i n e s s e s s uch a s S a v a n n a h M ov i e Tou r s, Fr e e d om Tr a i l T o urs , a n d R a nd y's Bar Que ha v e be n e f i t e d fr om h e r e x p e r t i se . Th e se b u si n e ss e s and s o m any oth ers are s ti l l go i n g s tron g a n d m a k i n g a n e c on om i c i m p a c t in t he g r eat er Savanna h co mmun i ty .

07

D r. Ton ia how a rd-ha ll

Cha t h a m Co u n ty Sc h o o l B o a rd Re p .

L o ok in the d ictio n ary un d e r P ubl i c S e r v a n t , a n d i f y ou d on ’t fi n d t h i s p a ssi on ate lead e r’ s pho to the re , the n y ou sh ou l d c a l l t h e p u b l i sh e r a n d c o mp l ain, or che ck the e n cy cl o pe d i a for fu r t h e r r e fe r e n c e . Dr . H ow a r d -H all i s al w ays anywh e re the re i s a n e e d t o a d v oc a t e for t h e st u d e n t s of t h e Ch at ham C ounty Publ i c Scho o l Sy s t e m . S h e i s t h e e p i t om e of w h a t g r e a t el e c t ed representa ti o n i s s uppo s e t o b e . A ft e r se r v i n g 32 y e a r s i n v a r i ou s ro le s w i t hi n t h e system, s tarti n g o ut te a c h i n g t o e n d i n g u p a s a p r og r a m m a n age r f o r T i tl e 1 Sch o o ls, D r. Ho ward - Hal l f e l t a c a l l i n g t o c on t i n u e t o se r v e . S h e t hre w h er hat in the ring f o r e l e cti o n to th e sc h ool b oa r d a n d w on b y a l a n d sl i de .

S h e is noted f o r b e i n g the mo s t un se l fi sh e l e c t e d offi c i a l i n t h e st a t e of Geor g i a.

Go i ng t hrough th e publ i c s cho o l s y s t e m a n d g r a d u a t i n g fr om Tom p k i n s High S c hool in 1979, the n o n to F l o ri d a A &M u n t i l 1983, h e r p a ssi on w a s t o t o uc h t h e li ves of our chi l d re n . She s tarte d t e a c h i n g , a l l w h i l e w or k i n g on h e r Mast er s and Docto r’ s d e gre e s a n d ra i s in g t w o k i d s. Du r i n g a t i m e of t h e u n kno wn, c o n cer ning the C o v i d 19 Epi d e mi c, sh e w a s t h e on l y b oa r d m e m b e r t o v ot e no , o n s end ing our sc ho o l chi l d re n ba ck t o c l a ss w i t h u n c e r t a i n d a t a p e r t a i ning t o t h eir ov erall saf e ty . A f te r o v e r 40 y e a r s of se r v i c e , sh e ’s st i l l p ou r i n g i nt o t he l i ves of o ur yo ung pe o pl e . Gre a t thin g s a r e e xp e c t e d fr om G r e a t P e op l e , and t h i s lead er is sho wi n g the wo rl d wh y , “B l a c k G i r l s R oc k ”.

08

N atalyn Ba te s Morr is

C ou nc i lw oman, G arden Cit y G a.

C o unc i lwoman N a ta l y n M o rri s i s ha p p i l y m a r r i e d t o De n n i s L. M or r i s, S r . T he y are t h e p r oud parent s o f 2 a d ul t chi l d re n a n d 3 a d or a b l e g r a n d c h i l d r e n . S h e is a gr aduate o f G rov e s Hi gh Scho o l an d a t t e n d e d S a v a n n a h S t a t e Col l e g e ( no w Uni ver sity). She i s a Human Re s o ur c e Coor d i n a t or a t Coa st a l E l e c t r i c Co o pe rat ive wher e she h as be e n e mpl o y e d f o r t h e p a st 11 y e a r s.

S h e has o ver 30 y e ars e xpe ri e n ce i n a n H R c a r e e r d i st i n g u i sh e d b y d e v e lo ping a nd exe cu ting h uman re s o urce s tra t e g y i n su p p or t of t h e ov e r a l l b u si n es s plan a nd st r ategic d ire cti o n o f the o rga n i z a t i on . H e r job i s t o p r ov i d e st r a t e gic le ade rsh i p b y articulati n g HR n e e d s an d p l a n s t o t h e e x e c u t i v e m a n a g e m e n t t e am. S he is a national and l o cal me mbe r o f S H R M (S t r a t e g i c H u m a n R e sou r c e s Management ), Sh e serve o n the C i ty C o un c i l for G a r d e n Ci t y , G A , se r v i n g t h e “ter r ific” 3rd Distri ct whi ch s he wa s e l e c t e d t o on J a n u a r y 1, 2020. S h e is a bo ard mem b er f o r th e C o a s tal Empi re Hab i t a t for H u m a n i t y . S h e i s a n a v i d v olunt e e r in h er c ommu nity a n d e n j o y s pe n d i n g t i m e w i t h fa m i l y a n d fr i e n d s.

S h e i s a G ard en C i ty L e ad e r who ge t s t h i n g s d on e . S h e i s p a r t of t h e h i s t o ry making c ouncil that i s the f i rs t e v e r A f r i c a n A m e r i c a n m ajor ity council i n the ci ty ’ s hi s to r y . S h e i s w om e n ’s h i st or y .

09

10

Pastor Joyce C. Hall

Ti ger woods

P as t o r Li vi ng Ho pe C o mmu n i ty F e l l o w sh ip C h u rc h P ast or Joyce C . Hal l wa s bo rn an d r a i se d i n S a v a n n a h , G e or g i a .

S he grew up in the Hi tch V i l l age h ou si n g p r oje c t , w h e r e sh e c r e d i t s t his upbr ing ing as bein g “the v i s i o n an d z e a l ” for t h e m i n i st r y sh e h a s c u l t i v at e d, Li vi ng H o pe C ommun i ty F e l l o ws h i p . S h e a c c e p t e d h e r c a l l t o m i n i st r y in 1985, ser vi ng at Overco mi n g by F a i th M i n i st r i e s u n d e r t h e l e a d e r sh i p of Dr . Ric ky Tem ple.

P ast or H all had a v i s i o n to ad d re ss t h e d i se a se of h op e l e ssn e ss a n d t ransf or m urban co mmun i ti e s by pro v i d i n g t h e m w i t h a n op p or t u n i t y t o e x pe rie nc e the l i f e ch angin g f o rce o f C hri s t. W h a t st a r t e d a s a n ou t r e a c h m i n i st r y, c o ll aborating with v a ri o us co mmun it y or g a n i z a t i on s (E m m a u s H ou se , S avannah, C ar e C enter, etc.) s o o n gre w to w or sh i p se r v i c e s a t t h e M a y S t r e e t Y MC A, Li vi ng H o pe Min i s try was bo rn . P a st or H a l l ’s m i n i st r y c on t i n u e s t o t h r ive today at its curre n t Gard e n C i ty l oc a t i on w i t h t h e e x p e c t a t i on i n n ing mo re Serena (L) of andwVenus soul s and maki n g a gre ate r i mpa c t on t h e c om m u n i t y aWit lli l aams r g e . P a st oring runs i n her veins, H e r mo the r wa s a pa st or , a n d h e r b r ot h e r (U . S . S e n a t or Rap hael W arno ck) i s a l s o a pa s t or .

11

women in warehousing By: Chantaye L. Mclaughli n

H a ppy W o men’ s H i s to ry M o n th. M a n y h a v e a l l se e n t h e p i c t u r e a b ov e .

Of tent im es, it is as s o ci ate d wi th th e Fe m i n i st M ov e m e n t . W om e n ’s H i st o ry M o nt h was d esig n e d to s po tl i ght a n d h i g h l i g h t t h e w om e n w h o h a v e p a ve d t he w a y i n l o cal and gl o bal s pace s . Wo m e n i n W a r e h ou si n g i s on e of t h e c o n ver sations th a t hav e l e d to the L i b e r a t i on a n d I n d e p e n d e n c e of w ome n.

M a ny argu e if thi s was a go o d thi n g or a b a d t h i n g i n t h e w or l d of g ood and bad.

T h e r eality is th a t wo me n i n wa re hou si n g c a m e a s a n e c e ssi t y a ft e r W orld W ar I I .

W hen t h e w ar bega n , ma n y me n we r e t h e p r i m a r y c a r e t a k e r s of t h e i r h ou s e ho lds .

T h e i m pact of w o me n be i n g e n gage d i n t h e w or k e n v i r on m e n t of a w a r e h o us e w a s p r i marily d u e to s uppl y an d d e m a n d . Du r i n g w a r t i m e , t h e r e w a s a sho rt age o f sup p lies and ma n uf a cturi n g po s i t i on s b e g a n t o op e n . Th e c h a l l e n g e was t hat m a jor it y o f th e m e n we re o f f at war , l e a v i n g t h e w om e n t o b e c om e t h e bre ad w i nner s and so me ti me s s o l e pro v i de r s for t h e i r fa m i l i e s. Th i s b oom i n m a nufacturing le d man y wo me n to b e a b l e t o p a r t i c i p a t e i n w h a t h a d b e e n deemed f or years as “me n j o bs .” Th e w a r w a s c on si d e r e d t o b e t h e on l y a c cept able tim e i n whi ch wo me n we r e t o w or k i n t h e m a n u fa c t u r i n g i n d us t ry o r w a rehousing. Af te r the war, man y m i d d l e a n d w or k i n g c l a ss fa m i l i e s l e a ne d t o w a n t i ng a two pe rs o n i n co me to be a b l e t o l i v e t h e l i fe of t h e i r d r e a m s. T his is w h at l ed to many o f the T uppe rware p a r t i e s t h a t w e h a v e se e n i n t h e m o vie s and t h at many o f u s r e me mbe r s e e i n g th e ol d p i c t u r e s i n t h e p h ot o a l b u m s of f amily m e m b ers to o f ten i n cl ud e mo the rs a n d g r a n d m ot h e r s. H a p p y W om e n ’s His t o ry M o nt h t o th e wome n tha t we re to l d t h a t t h e y c a n ’t , t h e y sh ou l d n ’t , a n d t he y wo n’t .

Y o u ar e saluted fo r the s tre n gth, cou r a g e , a n d c r i t i c a l r ol e t h a t y ou h a v e playe d i n hist ory!

12

Dr. Ann Levitt

S C C P S S Superintendent D r. Ann L e v e tt i s a Sa v an n a h n a t i v e . A s su p e r i n t e n d e n t , sh e i s t he embo d ime n t o f the v i s i o n of S CCP S S , “ fr om sc h ool t o t h e w or l d: All stud ents pre pare d f o r pro d u c t i v e fu t u r e s” a s sh e i s a p r od u c t of t he Savannah - C ha tham C o un ty P u b l i c S c h ool s h e r se l f, h a v i n g g r a d u at e d f rom Beach Hi gh Scho o l . D r . Le v e t t k n e w sh e w a n t e d t o w or k i n t he f ield o f e d uca ti o n e a rl y o n b e g i n n i n g h e r c a r e e r a s a p r ofe ssi on a l ed ucator a s a s pe e ch a n d l a n g u a g e p a t h ol og i st i n 1976 (S CCP S S ), ultim ately be co mi n g pri n ci p a l of t h e S a v a n n a h H i g h S c h ool .

With a pro f e s s i o n a l e d uca ti on c a r e e r sp a n n i n g ov e r 30 y e a r s, sh e has held vario us hi ghe r e d ucati on p osi t i on s. S h e se r v e d a t Y a l e U n i v e rs it y Scho o l o f M e d i ci n e an d A n t i oc h U n i v e r si t y t o n a m e a fe w , w h e r e s he led inno v ati v e te n ure s , o v e r se e i n g v a r i ou s p a r t n e r sh i p s, g r a n t s a nd pro jects. Upo n re turn i n g to G e or g i a , Dr . Le v e t t w a s a p p oi n t e d b y G overno rs Pe rd ue an d D e a l t o se r v e on st a t e e d u c a t i on b oa r d s, whe re in 2015 s he wa s re co gn i ze d for h e r a c c om p l i sh m e n t s i n e d u c a t io n by th eG eorgi a s e n a te . She i s n ot on l y a c c om p l i sh e d i n t h e a r e a of ed ucation , s he i s al s o a pub l i sh e d a u t h or a n d n a t i on a l l y r e c og n iz e d pu blic spe a ke r. D r. L e v e tt h a s d e v ot e d a n d w i l l c on t i n u e t o d e v o t e he r career to s e rv i n g Sa v an n a h’ s fa m i l i e s a n d st u d e n t s b y “I g n i t i n g a passio n f o r l e arn i n g.” B e i n g t h e Da u g h t e r of l e g e n d a r y P ol i c e m an/ C o ach, Bo L e v e tt, s he wa s a w i t n e ss t o a l l t h i n g s “S a v a n n a h ”, a n d wanted to ma ke a d i f f e re n c e . A n d w h a t a d i ffe r e n c e sh e m a d e .

14

Rebe c c a Ta n n e r R u s s e ll

We e pi ng Ti me C o a l i tio n Me mb e r E quall y outspoke n o n i s s ue s tha t m a t t e r a s sh e i s soft sp ok e n i n c on v ers at io n, th i s w oman w ill a l wa y s bri n g re ce ip t s.

R e bec ca moved d o wn to Sa v an n a h t o e sc a p e t h e l on g , c ol d , M i l w a u k e e wint e rs i n 2008. Altho ugh s he has a d e gre e i n P r i n t m a k i n g , b y t r a d e , sh e i s a self t aught p at t er n mak er, d e s i gn e r a n d be s po k e c l ot h i e r , w i t h fi e r c e l y l oy a l c l i e n t s aro und th e w orld . Lo cal l y , s he wo rks wi th a h a n d fu l of sm a l l l a b e l d e si g n e r s, guiding th em t hrough th e pro ce s s o f f l e s hin g ou t a b st r a c t i d e a s w i t h p r ot ot y p e s , t o a f i nal , t ested , m a rke ta bl e , an d re prod u c i b l e p r od u c t . “

15

Diana Harvey Johnson

Servant L eaders ( l- r ) 2 5 - y e a r S a va n n a h B r a n c h N A A CP Pr e s i d e n t an d Ci v i l R i g h t s i co n We s t l e y Wal l ace “ WW” L aw , S t at e Rep resentative ( la te r S ta te S e n a to r ) D i a n a Ha r ve y J o h n s o n ,an d U . S . Co n g r e s s m an J o h n L e wi s . Ci r ca 1 9 9 1

F o rme r St a te S e na tor / C ons u ltant If you’ re h un gry f o r i n f o rmati on , or i f y ou ’r e e v e r i n t e r e st e d i n n e t w o rking, t hen D iana H arv e y J o hn s o n i s t h a t p e r son t o c a l l on . Com i n g t o S avannah f rom Bibb C o un ty a n d n o ti c i n g a v oi d i n g ood l e a d e r sh i p , M s. Harve y Joh nson to o k he r i n te l l e ctual p r ow e ss a n d m ov e d i n t h e r i g h t c i r c l es f o r yea rs, u ntil s he be came a Sta t e S e n a t or .

Wi th a bach e l o r’ s d e gre e f ro m M or r i s B r ow n Col l e g e , a n d a m a st e r ’s degr ee f rom the Un i v e rs i ty o f Ge or g i a i n A t h e n s, J oh n son t a u g h t h i st o ry at P a ine C ollege i n A ugus ta , GA .Fr om M or r i s B r ow n U n i v e r si t y t o t h e U niversity o f G e o rgi a , D i an a has c on n e c t e d a n d r e m a i n s c on n e c t e d t o all t he key movers an d s ha ke rs a n d c h a n g e a g e n t s a c r oss t h e st a t e . S h e creat e d T he Hu n gry C l ub F o rum o f S a v a n n a h i n 2006 , so t h a t sh e c ou ld bring t hose d if f ere n ce make rs to ge t h e r i n fr on t of c i t i ze n s t o h a v e a d i sc us s io n about “w hat ’ s n e xt” .

S he later cre a te d a ma rke ti n g, m e d i a , a n d p u b l i c r e l a t i on s fi r m , P innac le Comm unicati o n s C o rpo ra ti o n i n 200 7. Th i s or g a n i z a t i on a n d b u si n e s s are vit al parts of the f a bri c o f Sav a n n a h .

It is said , that whe n D i a n a cal l s , y ou ’d b e t t e r a n sw e r . A n d i f y ou ’r e hungr y, yo u w ill ge t f e d .

16

Lillian Grant Baptiste

M a s te r Sto ry Te l l e r L i l l i an G r an t-Ba ptiste i s a storyt eller ext r ao rd inair e. She is fro m Sav ann ah , G e o r gia a n d a n a l u mn a of Savannah St at e Universit y. Gr ant -Bapt i s t e is a p r o m o ter of h er f a mily bu si ness vent ur es - her mo t her ’ s business - T ou c h o f A f r i c a a n d h er son ’s bu si n ess - Mind ing My Black Owned Business.

Gr an t- B ap t iste i s a f ormer ci v il ser vant wit h t he Cit y o f Savannah. In th e c o m m u n i ty pla n n in g a n d dev elo pment o ffice she so ught and wo rked to em p o w e r members of th e com munit y. Being a vo ice fo r neighbo rho o d p ride f o r g e n e r ati on s in S a v a n n a h .

H o n i n g h er cra f t to tell th e stor ies o f Afr ican Americans has mad e her a v al u ab l e a sset to th is a rea . Grant -Bapt ist e t ells st o r ies t o uplift all t hos e a r o u n d h e r. L i ba tion s or remembrance cer emo nies have beco me her f ort e - s o s h e c an respect a n d h on o r t o past , current , and fut ure her o es and s h e r o e s . Ma ster S tory T eller.

17

Debbie Johnson

Port Wentwo rth , M a y o r P ro -T e m M s . Johnson wa s a 17 y e a r e mpl o y e e of Th e S a v a n n a h Ch a t h a m M e t r opo lit an P ol i c e D epartme n t. She re ce i v e d h e r M a st e r ' s De g r e e i n Cr i m i n a l J u st i c e and F o r ensic Psycho l o gy a n d was the f i r st A fr i c a n A m e r i c a n w om a n t o se r ve o n t he P or t W entworth C i ty C o un ci l . She s e r v e d on t h e P or t W e n t w or t h Ci t y Counc il f o r man y y e ars , an d ha d a c c om p l i sh e d a g r e a t d e a l , t o i n c l u d e b e ing a pio neer ad v o ca to r f o r HB 109 - "U p -S k i r t i n g B i l l " t o m a k e t h i s v io lat io n o f women a crime pun i s habl e by l a w , a n d c oor d i n a t i n g v a r i ou s e v e n t s fo r t he Ci t y's Feed th e Hun gry pro gram. D e b b i e w a s t h e fi r st A fr i c a n A m e r i c a n Mayo r P r o-Tem o f Port We n two rth Ga . Sh e w a s i n t o h e r se c on d t e r m w h e n sh e die d fr om c o mplicatio n s o f a re l ate d i l ln e ss.

A l ways with a smi l e o n he r f a ce , an d w a n t i n g t o se e h ow sh e c ou l d h e l p s o meo ne, she was a grad uate o f Sa i n t Le o U n i v e r si t y w h e r e sh e r e c e i v e d h e r Ba c helo r’ s and Ma s te r’ s d e gre e . An d a l so a t t e n d e d N or t h Ce n t r a l U n i v ers it y t o advance her e d ucati o n i n Bus i n e ss A d m i n i st r a t i on & Cr i m i n a l J u st i c e . S he is c o nsi d ered the r o l e mo d e l f o r s e rv i c e i n P or t W e n t w or t h a n d h a s i n sp i re d o t he r A f r ic an America n wo me n to s e e k e l e c t e d p u b l i c offi c e .

18

ArtLise Alston-Cone

Maki ng a D i ffe r e nce th ro u g h Se rv an t L e ad e rsh ip Det er mi ned to m a ke a d i f f e re n ce , A r t Li se A l st on -Con e h a s d e d i c a t e d t h e las t 27 yea r s t o serving stud e n ts , te a che rs , a n d l e a d e r s b y l e a d i n g e d u c a t i on a l t ra ns for m atio ns f ro m the cl as s ro o m t o t h e b oa r d r oom , u t i l i z i n g d a t a t o e ffec t i vely and ef f i ci e n tl y l e ad o rga n i z a t i on s, e m p ow e r i n g p a r e n t s a n d co m m un ity engage me n t, i mpl e me n t i n g i n n ov a t i v e st r a t e g i e s t o e n h a n c e t e ac hing a nd lear ning, as we l l as i n s pi ri n g th e c h a n g e w e w a n t t o se e . H e r u n i q u e a p pr oac h to pro bl e m s o l v i n g has l e d t o A r t Li se b e i n g on e of t h e m ost c o ns ult e d e duc at i o nal lead e rs i n o ur s tate .

Educ at ed at Benn e tt C o l l e ge , D a rtm ou t h Col l e g e , a n d N ov a S ou t h e a st e r n U nive rsi ty, A r t Lise synthe s i ze s he r acqui re d k n ow l e d g e i n h e r c u r r e n t p osi t i on wit h t he G eor g i a Departm e n t o f J uv e n i l e J ust i c e (DJ J ) w h e r e sh e m a n a g e s a sc h o o l f o r co m m un ity stud en ts who are o n prob a t i on a n d w a n t t o c om p l e t e t h e i r h igh sc hool d iploma o r GED v i a cre d i t re c ov e r y or a c c e l e r a t i on . Th i s sc h ool se rve s as DJJ’s m od el f o r c o mmun i ty s cho o l r e for m i n t r a n si t i on a l e d u c a t i on a n d pr o vi ded th e f o un d ati o n f o r the o pe n i n g of t h r e e m or e p r og r a m s a c r oss t he st a t e. In her ques t to make a d i f f e re n c e , A r t Li se h a s fost e r e d t h e c ol l a b o rat io n o f ma ny s uccessf ul bus i n e s s e s , pro gra m s, a n d p r oje c t s. Th e on e s n e a r a n d de ar t o h er heart are th e pro gra ms wi th a m i ssi on t o i m p r ov i n g on e ’s q u a l i t y of lif e like wi th Geo rgia T ech ’ s L o gi s ti cs Ed uca t i on a n d P a t h w a y s p r og r a m or J a c k and Jill o f A mer ica, Inc an d e mpo we ri n g cha n g e t h r ou g h v ot i n g w i t h t h e Ch a t h a m C o unt y Democr atic C ounci l .I f the re wa s e v e r a p h r a se u se d t o d e sc r i b e A r t Li se Als t o nC o ne, i t would be ‘ to make a d i f f e re n c e ”!

19

W e n d y B u l l ens

B o s s E n tre p re n e u r W e ndy Bu llens is a s i l e n t f o rce o f g ood i n Ch a t h a m Cou n t y . Th i s d a u g h t e r o f Ja m ai c a has mad e C hatham C o un ty h e r h om e a n d fi n a n c i a l e m p i r e .

Bu llens is a R eal Es ta te M o gul o wn i n g a n d i n v e st i n g i n p r op e r t i e s t h r ou gho ut t h e ar ea . She’ s de v e l o pe d re s i d e n t i a l a n d e n t e r t a i n m e n t p l a c e s for a l l . He r W hi t e House o n Ty be e I s l an d has b e c om e “Th e e ” P l a c e on Ty b e e I sl a n d .

Bu llens h as beco me a Re s taura te ur i n S a v a n n a h . S h e op e n e d K ool V i b e s P i z za and W ings, the ho me o f the Ox t a i l P i z z a . Th e r e st a u r a n t p r ov i d e s a di v er s e menu f or the co mmun i ty a n d c i t y . S h e w a n t e d t o g i v e t h e c o mm un ity a vari e ty o f f o o d cho i ce s w i t h h e r r e st a u r a n t .

P h il ant hropy has be e n a pa rt o f he r m i ssi on , a l so. B u l l e n s i s a w a r e t h a t t he p e opl e have su pp o rte d he r s o s he h a s fe l t a n ob l i g a t i on t o su p p or t t h e p e o ple .

S h e has suppo rte d a v a ri e ty o f pro g r a m s a n d e ffor t s i n Ch a t h a m Cou n t y.

20

Patricia Harris

The C ity of Sa v an n a h co n ti n ue s t o b e n e fi t fr om t h e t a l e n t a n d hi st o rical line a ge co n n e cte d to t h e w om e n of i t ’s fi ft h d i st r i c t , es p ecially the d e e pl y ro o te d he r i t a g e of t h e r e si d e n t s. On e su c h l i n k is t he cherished ed u cato r co mmun i ty t h a t d e v e l op e d m a n y y e a r s a g o a s A fric an A m erican teac he rs ra i s e d f a mi l i e s i n t h e fi ft h . Dr . P a t r i c i a H a r r i s a nd P as t o r Bet t y Jones a re two re ti re d e d uc a t or s w h o fou n d t h e m se l v e s i n t h e f if t h dist r ic t and have be e n acti v e i n pro t e c t i n g t h e a r e a for m a n y y e a r s.

Dr . P atricia Harri s i s a re ti re d e du c a t or a n d se r v e d m ost r e c e n t l y a t t he hist or i c Alf red Ely B e a ch Hi gh School . S h e m a d e a t r e m e n d ou s i m p a c t as an educato r, give n the f o l l o wi n g s h e h a s of for m e r st u d e n t s w h o sh e h as name d “her babies”. D r. Harri s i s a me m b e r of De l t a S i g m a Th e t a S or or i t y , I nc . , and leads ef f o rts to e n ga ge an d e d u c a t e h e r c om m u n i t y a b ou t v ot i n g a n d c ivic engagement. D r. Ha rri s cre ate d t h e fi ft h d i st r i c t c oa l i t i on t o r a i se a ware ne s s about the valu e , hi s to ry , an d i mp or t a n c e of t h e fi ft h d i st r i c t b e c a u se s he not ic ed a need to o f f e r a v o i ce to r e p r e se n t t h e c om m u n i t y . H e r on g oi ng c o mmi t m ent to commun i ty o rgan i zi n g h a s m a d e t h e fi ft h d i st r i c t st r on g er, e s peci al l y at city ha l l whe re the re ha v e b e e n m i sse d op p or t u n i t i e s i n t h e s pirit o f pr ov id ing reso urce s to the di st rict.

21

Tif f a n y D e nni s Lanc aster

Po r t We nt wo rth Re c re a tio n D ire c to r Ti ffany’ s m o th e r wa s a s tro n g wom a n w i t h t h e foc u s on “w om e n c a n do anyt hing men c an d o ” . She al s o h a v e a b r ot h e r w h o i s 15 m on t h s ol d er who m he’s alw ays env i e d . T i f f an y was g y m n a st a n d sw i m m e r ; g y m n a st i c s w a s he r p as si o n and she co mpe te d a l l o v e r t h e n a t i on . S h e w a s a c om p e t i t i v e s urf e r w it h th e easter n s urf i n g a s s o ci ati on . H e r ot h e r e n t h u si a sm w a s l e a r n ing as m uc h as sh e co ul d a bo ut ma rti al a r t s.

H er career as a d i re cto r s tarte d a ft e r h e r se n i or y e a r i n c ol l e g e w h e n she was a w ar d ed th e captai n o f the o ce an r e sc u e l i fe g u a r d s on Ty b e e I sl a n d be ac h.

Aft er grad u atin g co l l e ge , T i f f an y w a s b l e sse d w i t h t h e op p or t u n i t y t o st art t he f ir st ever YMC A o n T y be e I s l a n d . A s a fe m a l e i n t h e sp or t s a n d fi t n e ss are a at tim es it w as ch a l l e n gi n g but a l wa y s a n e w a d v e n t u r e .

Aft er many yea rs , s he was o f f e re d a p osi t i on t o g r ow h e r p r ofe ssi on and t o o k a n off er as a Di s tri ct M an a ge r wi t h Le a r n i n g Ca r e G r ou p i n Ch a r l ot t e N o rt h C ar ol ina manag i n g e i ght pre - s chool s.

Six s ho rt years l a te r s he was pre se n t e d a job w i t h t h e Ci t y P or t W e n t wo rt h as the Leisu re Serv i ce s D i re cto r. P a r k s a n d r e c r e a t i on w e r e a p e r fe c t fi t .

C om mu nity d ev e l o pme n t an d the op p or t u n i t y t o b u i l d p r og r a m s w a s h er de s ire .

N ow she’ s the p re s i d e n t o f the C o a st A t h l e t i c A ssoc i a t i on , a c e r t i fi e d parks a nd r e creation pro f e s s i o n a l a n d a n A m e r i c a n R e d Cr oss t r a i n e r .

H er love f or the y o uth o f P o rt We n t w or t h a n d t h e l ov e t h a t sh e p ou r s int o t he m, i s w hat mak es e v e ry pare n t wan t t o b r i n g t h e i r c h i l d r e n t o a c t i v i t i e s a n d s po rti ng events in the ci ty . She ’ s chan g i n g l i v e s, On e Ch i l d a t a t i m e .

22

Betty Jones

P a st or Betty Jo ne s i s a re ti re d e d uc a t or a n d se r v e d a t sc h ool s i n t h e S a vannahC h at ham C o unty Scho o l Sy s te m. P a st or J on e s se r v e s a s t h e p r e si d e n t o f o ne o f the nei ghborh o o d a s s o ci ati o n s whe r e sh e e n g a g e s h e r r e si d e n t s on t h e c o nc e rns tha t m atter. Pasto r J o n e s i s al s o a n a d v oc a t e for t h e r e sp on si b l e r e d e v e lo pme nt o f t he fif th d istric t f ai rgro un d s pro je c t a n d h a s v oi c e d h e r c on c e r n s a r e vario us m eet ings and f orums . She i s al s o th e A ssoc i a t e P a st or a t Li t w a y Ba p t i st C hurc h in Sa vannah and m e n to rs ’ y o un ge r a d u l t s on t h e i r v a l u e s a n d h ow t o p r e se nt o n es el f in public. He r co mmun i ty o r g a n i z i n g e ffor t s h a v e h e l p e d c i t y l e a de rs re a l i ze th e resilie n ce an d a utho ri ty t h a t t h e r e si d e n t s of t h e fi ft h d i st r i c t v a ry – d em o nstra ti n g l o v e a n d v a l u e for t h e c om m u n i t y .

W e s al ute o ur eld e rs , e d ucato rs , f a m i l y , a n d n e i g h b or s i n t h e fi ft h d i st r i ct , re m embering th ei r te a chi n gs a s we w a l k d a i l y i n ou r p e r son a l jou r n e y . x T hank yo u all f o r pav i n g a pa thway for p e op l e l i k e y ou t o w a l k i n sp a c e s w h er e our ancest o rs co ul d n o t d are d r e a m t o e x i st .

23

Anne Allen Westbrook

A t t o r ne y/ G a. Sta te Re p re se n ta tiv e Anne Allen Westbro o k, M o the r, L a w y e r , A d v oc a t e , Ch a t h a m Cou n t y n a tive , and e l ec t ed G eo rgia Sta te Re pre s e n ta t i v e . A n n e h a s se r v e d on m u l t i p l e Ch at ham a r ea board s, as we l l a s s e rv i n g a s a Cu l t u r a l A ffa i r s Com m i ssi on e r for t he c it y of S av annah, w hi ch s uppo rts the m a n y a r t s or g a n i z a t i on s t h a t m a k e u p t he cul t ural f abric o f Sa v an n a h.

A 2001 Law Scho o l Grad f ro m the U n i v e r si t y of G e or g i a , S h e h a s w or ke d in m any f ield s w ithi n the l aw pro f e ssi on , b u t sp e c i a l i z i n g i n i n su r a n c e d e f e ns e l it i g atio n and fami l y l a w.

Onc e elected , R e pre s e n tati v e We s t b r ook h a s b e e n a st a u n c h a d v oc a t e f o r d oi ng the righ t thi n gs o n the s tate l e v e l . S h e i s e sp e c i a l l y c on c e r n e d w it h J uven ile Ju stice a n d Gun C o n tro l . Tw o t h i n g s p e op l e h a v e sa i d a b ou t W es t bro o k is, s he s ho ws up whe r e t h e r e ’s a n i ssu e i n ou r c om m u n i t y and she li stens. G irl Po we r at i ts be s t .

24

Coco Gut h ri e -P a p y

Coc o G u th rie- P a py i s a co mmun it y or g a n i z e r , r e st or a t i v e ju st i c e p r a ct it io ne r, p ubl ic policy n e rd , an d bo rn - an d -b r e d S a v a n n a h i a n . S h e w or k s a s De ep’s D i r ecto r of Publ i c Po l i cy a n d C o m m u n i c a t i on s, w h e r e sh e d e v e l op s De e p’s p ubl ic policy a n d ad v o ca cy po s i t i on s, a s w e l l a s w or k i n g a s t h e or g a niz at io n’s l obb yist.

S he received h e r trai n i n g a s a re st or a t i v e ju st i c e p r a c t i t i on e r a t t h e Int er natio nal I n s ti tute f o r Re s to r a t i v e P r a c t i c e s, i s a H i g h l a n d e r E d u c at io n Cent e r G reensbo ro J us ti ce F e l l o w , a P E N P r i son W r i t i n g Fe l l ow , a n d a People f o r the A me ri can Wa y ’ s Fr on t Li n e Le a d e r Fe l l ow , a n d h a s se rve d o n sout h eastern re gi o n al bo ard s s u c h a s P l a n n e d P a r e n t h ood S ou t h e a st and Geor gia 9 to 5. She curre n tl y s e r v e s a s a S W OP b e h i n d B a r s p r i son m e nt o r and a s a legal o bs e rv e r f o r the A CLU of G e or g i a , a n d h a s c on su l t e d on mult i p l es electo ra l ca mpai gn s re gar d i n g p ol i c y d e v e l op m e n t , c om m u n i c a t io ns st r at egy, and mo v e me n t bui l d i n g .

Last bu t not le a s t, s he i s a pro ud c l i n i c e sc or t , a n a b or t i on d ou l a se r ving t he st at e o f G eo rg i a, an d trai n i n g to b e a fu l l sp e c t r u m doula. She bel i e v e s we can n e v e r st op h e l p i n g on e a n ot h e r .

25

Sonya Jackson

T h e fi r st Black pe rs o n to be e l e cte d a s t h e Ch a t h a m Cou n t y Ta x Com m is s io ne r, So nya L. Jack son , pro mi s e d to l e v e r a g e h e r b u si n e ss e x p e r t i se t o i m p r ove a c c ess to service s , e d uca te re s i d e n t s a b ou t t h e t a x l a w s a n d t h e i r r i g h t s , and refor m go vernme n t a cco un ta bi l i ty . J a c k son l e a d s t h e Ch a t h a m Cou n t y Tax C o mm i ssions of f i ce man a gi n g a $6. 3 m i l l i on d ol l a r b u d g e t a n d l e a d i n g a s t af f o f 78 employees. J a cks o n ’ s o f f i ce b i l l s, c ol l e c t s, a n d d i sb u r se s a p p r ox imat e ly $500 m illion in p ro pe rty a n d mo to r v e h i c l e t a x e s t o st a t e , c ou n t y a n d l oc al g o ver nments and s cho o l s e ach y e a r .

A n A l umna of Sav an n a h Hi gh Scho o l a n d S a v a n n a h S t a t e U n i v e r si t y , J a c ks o n’s c h oi c e to serve he r ho me to wn has p r ov i d e d g r e a t b e n e fi t t o a l l c i t i z e n s in C h at ham C ounty. T he T ax C o mmi s si on e r h a s b r ou g h t A u t om a t e d A u t om o bile T a g Renewal K io s ks to the a re a. T h e k i osk s p r ov i d e r e si d e n t s w i t h a r a pid and s a fe al ternative fo r ta g re n e wa l s . Cu st om e r s a r e n ow a b l e t o g e t t h e i r de c als i nst ant ly. R esid e n ts can l o ca te the k i osk s a t K r og e r st or e s on M a l l Bou le vard, Og e ech ee Ro ad , an d Wi l mi n gto n I s la n d . I n a d d i t i on t o u si n g t h e Ch a t h a m C o unt y Tax Of f ice s ’ thre e l o cati o n s , r e si d e n t s a r e e n c ou r a g e d t o c on d u ct t he ir b u s i ness on- line f o r a v a ri e ty s e rv i c e s.

W or ki ng d iligentl y to ke e p he r pro m i se s, J a c k son i s a l so e d u c a t i n g r e side nt s a b out t h eir righ ts a n d tax l a ws thro u g h a v a r i e t y of m e t h od s, t o i n c l u d e c o mm un ity f oru ms , wo rks ho ps , an d p a r t n e r sh i p w i t h a r e a or g a n i z a t i on s.

26

Sabriya Scott

S abr i ya Sco tt is n o t o n l y s e l l i n g th e A m e r i c a n Dr e a m t o t h ou sa n d s b u t mo re i m por t antly she’ s maki n g i t a re al i t y . S c ot t i s a n e n t r e p r e n e u r , R e a l t or , and W e alt h D evelope r f o r i n d i v i d ual s a n d fa m i l i e s. S h e h a s d e v e l op e d h e r co mpany, S cot t Realty Prof e s s i o n a l s , i n to o n e of t h e t op r e a l t y c om p a n i e s i n t h e U . S. Beco min g a n e xpe rt i n the fi e l d sh e h a s b e c om e a b e a c on of l ight f o r c u r r ent and gen e rati o n al we a l th.

S cot t is an alumn a o f Sav an n a h Hig h S c h ool a n d A r m st r on g A t l a n t i c S tat e U n iver sity (no w Ge o rgi a So uthe rn U n i v e r si t y ) . A t A A S U / G S U sh e b e c a me a c h ar t er mem ber o f the T au A l pha C h a p t e r of De l t a S i g m a Th e t a S or or i t y I nc .

S cot t ’s comm itm e n t to e xce l l e n ce a n d t o se r v e p e op l e h a s p r op e l l e d h er i n t o b eing one of the l e ad e rs i n re a l e st a t e v e n t u r e s i n G e or g i a a n d S ou t h Car oli na. H er en d e av o rs ha s ca us e d h e r t o g r ow ot h e r b u si n e ss v e n t u r e s : T & J Properties o f Sa v an n a h a n d S c ot t M a n a g e m e n t & Con su l t i n g S e r vic e s .

A l l of h er ef f ort s hav e be e n to upli ft p e op l e a n d c om m u n i t i e s.

27

Ma r g o B a r b e e

Co m mu n ity A d v o c ate If Givi ng w as a p ho to , i t ce rtai n l y w ou l d b e t h i s G o G e t t e r , M a r g o Ba r b e e exem p lif ies tw o thi n gs , Se rv i ce a n d G i v i n g . I n Ch a t h a m Cou n t y , e sp e c ially i n t he C ity o f Po rt We n two rth, M a r g o B a r b e e i s e v e r y w h e r e t r y t o m a k e a di f fer ence. Fro m a l l he r man y y e ar s i n d i ffe r e n t or g a n i z a t i on s a n d p osit io ns , t o h er years with th e Sa v an n a h/ C hath a m E c on om i c Op p or t u n i t y A u t h or i t y , (EOA), M ar go h as alway s be e n wi l l i n g to S e r v e . S h e ’s a p r ou d S u m a Cu m La u de g raduate of Sava n n a h Sta te Un i v e r si t y .

F rom r u nning f or s tate wi d e o f f i ce t o se r v i n g on t h e P or t W e n t w or t h Chambe r o f Commerce Bo ard o f D i re cto rs , t o v ol u n t e e r i n g a t m a jor e v e n t s i n t h e c it y , t o b e ing a 8th d istr i ct re pre s e n ta ti v e of t h e Ch a t h a m Cou n t y De m oc r a t i c Comm ittee, Mar go s e e s he r ro l e i n l i fe a s t r y i n g t o m a k e a d i ffe r e n c e i n t he s pace that she wal ks i n e v e ry d ay . M a r g o h a s w or k e d h a n d i n h a n d w i t h lo c al a nd st ate agenci e s a n d o rga n i za ti on s i n d i ffe r e n t e ffor t s t o e r a d i c a t e p o ve rt y a nd i nju stice in un d e rs e rv e d co mm u n i t i e s. M a r g o B a r b e e i s a N e t w or k er, and s he has used tha t s ki l l s e t to n e twor k w i t h ot h e r s t o h e l p w i t h M e n t a l He alt h A w ar en ess, Workf o rce D e v e l o pme n t , a n d A ffor d a b l e H ou si n g .

M ar r ied to th e M ay o r P ro T e m o f P or t W e n t w or t h , Th om a s Ba r b e e , M a r go ge t s u p every m o rnin g try i n g to o utwo rk h i m . A n d e v e r y c i t i z e n of P or t W e n t wo rt h knows that’ s a to ugh j o b. She be l i e v e s t h a t i t i s h e r job t o st e p u p a n d pro vide a s si st ance to he l p mo v e he r co mm u n i t y for w a r d r e g a r d l e ss of w h a t t h e c o ndit ions are. A s ke d why s he wo r k s so h a r d a n d g i v e s so m u c h , sh e r es p on d ed w ith , ” s o my gra n d ki d s c a n h a v e a b e t t e r l i fe ”. W e ’r e g l a d t hat s he c h os e Po rt Went wo rth to ca l l ho me .

28

Delores Screen Daniels

S e r i a l E nt r e p re n e u r/ Tre n d Se tte r Fr om Jeans J un cti o n , to Sty l e s B y De l or i s, t o De l or i s on 37t h , t o Fa cials by Del o ris, th is Tre n d s e tti n g bus i n e ss w om a n h a s b e e n sh ow i n g u s h ow t o s t art , m anage , a n d o wn y o ur o w n b u si n e ss si n c e t h e 70’s. I f 109 9 had a fac e, her f ace wo ul d be i t.

A l w ays creatin g a bus i n e s s to m a k e p e op l e d r e ss b e t t e r or t o l ook g o o d , t his agel ess beauty i s wha t be i n g cr e a t i v e i s a l l a b ou t . H e r r u n w a y fa sh i o n and hai r sh o ws of the 80’ s a re wha t se t t h e t on e for e n t e r t a i n m e n t i n S a v annah.

Her comf ortabl e wai ti n g are as in h e r h a i r sa l on s a n d h e r e l e g a n t l oo king s t yling areas we re a l wa y s the ta l k of t h e t ow n .

Fi ve d ecad es l a te r an d s he ’ s s ti l l h e l p i n g c l i e n t s l ook g ood a n d fe e l go o d.

S he’ s w hat you ge t whe n y o u mix c l a ssy , b e a u t y , i n t e l l i g e n c e , d e t e r minat io n.

Del o ris surely i s a l i v i n g l e ge n d .

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Julia Pearce

Co m mu n i ty A c ti v i st Wh en it co me s to putti n g p e op l e t og e t h e r , e sp e c i a l l y p e op l e fr om d if f erent race s , ba ckgro un ds, a n d c u l t u r e s, J u l i a P e a r c e i s t h e perso n to s e e . J ul i a l i v e s o n Ty b e e I sl a n d G a . , w h i c h i s w h e r e Savanna h Be a ch i s l o cate d . Ty b e e I sl a n d i s a p p r ox i m a t e l y 98% wh ite, bu t J ul i a was s ti l l ab l e t o or g a n i z e a M LK P a r a d e a n d e v e nt , and also a ce re mo n y ( J un e t e e n t h W a d e ) on t h e I sl a n d .

Sh e’ s so f t s po ke n but f o rce fu l i n h e r op i n i on s of t h e fa c t s a n d circu mstan ce s . She ma ke s s e n se i n a w or l d t h a t se e m s t o b e g oi n g craz y. Jul i a i s a pe o pl e ’ s pe r son , a p e r son t h a t u n i t e s i n st e a d of d ivid ing , a pe rs o n that i s c ol or b l i n d i n st e a d of b l i n d e d b y c ol or.

If yo u’ re e v e r n e ar T y be e , Com e W a d e i n Th e W a t e r .

30

queen Quet

“Y e ddi We" here we s tan d - a He ad w a s p l a c e d u p on t h e Bod y . I n J u l y 2 002 t he f o rmer Marqu eta L . Go o d wi n e wa s e n st ool e d a s Qu e e n Qu e t Ch i e ft e ss o f t he G u l l ah G eechee Na ti o n . Que e n Que t i s fr om S a i n t H e l e n a I sl a n d S ou t h Caro lina.

S h e c r eated the Gul l a h Ge e che e Se a I sl a n d Coa l i t i on a n d A K A N - A fr i k a n K ult ural A r t s N etwork .

S h e w as f o rm ally kn o wn as an A rti v i st - a n a r t i st w h o i s a n a c t i v i st . N ow s he is k n ow n as th e f ore mo s t l e a d e r re ga r d i n g m a t t e r s p e r t a i n i n g t o G u l l a h G e e c he e p eop l e in the US . She ha s trav e l e d t h e w or l d w or k i n g on b e h a l f of h e r pe o ple and t h e c ulture and s he i s re co gn i ze d b y v a r i ou s g ov e r n m e n t s.

Queen Quet is th e f i rs t Gul l ah Ge e c h e e p e r son t o a d d r e ss t h e U n i t e d N at ions. In 1999 s he ad d re s s e d the U N ' s Com m i ssi on on H u m a n R i g h t s in G e nev a , S w i tz erland . Si n ce tha t ti me s h e h a s b e e n i n v i t e d t o a d d r e ss ot h e r f o rums at t h e U N on behalf o f Gul l a h Ge e che e p e op l e .

S i d e N ote - Sh e has l e f t Sav an n a h a n d H i l t on H e a d n a t i v e J a m a l Tou r é in t he U S w hi l e on h er trav e l s to Bra s i l a n d P a n a m a .

"W hen Truth Arriv e s F a l s e ho o d M u st P e r i sh "

31

Ambria berksteiner

A m b r i a Berk stein e r i s a Sav an n a h n a t i v e w h o g r a d u a t e d fr om Th e S a v a nnah A r t s Acad emy in 2013. Whi l e a tte n d i n g S a v a n n a h A r t s A c a d e m y a s a V is ual Art s m aj or , she had the o ppo rtun i ty to p a r t i c i p a t e i n t h e E n g i n e e r i n g E x p l or e r P o s t P rog r am. It was d uri n g thi s e xpe ri e n c e w i t h t h e Th om a s & H u t t on fi r m t hat s he d eveloped her pa s s i o n f o r e n gi n e e r i n g . Fol l ow i n g h i g h sc h ool , sh e a t t e nde d Spel m an C o llege whe re s he maj o re d i n M a t h e m a t i c s a n d w a s a p a r t i c i p ant in th e D ual- D egree En gi n e e ri n g pro gra m . S h e w e n t on t o a t t e n d A u b u r n U nive rs it y w her e she stu d ie d I n d us tri a l an d S y st e m s e n g i n e e r i n g c om p l e t i n g h e r dual deg r ee. In 2017, sh e wo n the M i s s Sa v a n n a h U S A P a g e a n t , g a i n i n g t h e oppo rt unit y to c ompete at Mi s s Ge o rgi a USA . W h i l e fu l fi l l i n g t h e d u t i e s of t h i s p r e s t igio us ti tl e, sh e d ecid e d to e mpo we r y o un g W om e n of Col or i n t h e S TE M fi e l d s as he r p ageant platf orm , l aun chi n g ‘ Ope ra t i on On e S TE M a t a Ti m e ’.

Op er at ion One S T EM at a T i me i s a n i n i t i a t i v e sh e sol i d i fi e d on h e r p l a tf o rm as Miss S avannah USA 2017- 2018. T h e or g a n i z a t i on e d u c a t e s, e n l i g h t e n s, and e mp ow er s young w o me n to purs ue ST E M -r e l a t e d c a r e e r s, a n d A m b r i a i s a ff e c t io na tely c o nsid ered i ts me n to r- i n - chi e f. Ov e r t h e p a st 6 y e a r s, sh e h a s w orke d and p ar t nered with T he L i v e Oak P ubl i c Li b r a r i e s, G e or g i a Te c h ’s CE I S M C pro gram, th e S ociety o f Wo me n En gi n e e rs , a n d Th e Cr e a t i v e Coa st . R e c e n t l y sh e was a ppointed to th e L i v e Oa k Publ i c Li b r a r y ’s B oa r d of Tr u st e e s h e l p i n g t o f urt he r c ul t i vate spaces o f l i mi tl e s s l e a rn in g i n S a v a n n a h . I n 2 018, A m b r i a A d v o c at e d t o l o c al l awm ak ers the n e e d to re co g n i z e w om e n i n S TE M -r e l a t e d c a r e e r s in o ur l o c al c o mm unity . D ue to thi s l o bbyi n g , sh e w a s u l t i m a t e l y g r a n t e d a p r oc l am atio n f o r the f i rs t Wo me n I n S TE M Da y for t h e S a v a n n a h -Ch a t h am C ount y area. T hro ugh he r ST EM ad v oc a c y , sh e h a s r e c e i v e d n u m e r ou s awards a n d ho no rs. Mo s t re ce n tl y s he was r e c og n i z e d b y S a v a n n a h M a g a z i n e a s a 2021 N ew Guard h o no re e an d re co gn i ze d b y t h e 1 00 B l a c k M e n of S a v a n n a h , re c e ivi ng t he organiz ati o n ’ s 2021 L e ad e r sh i p S e r v i c e A w a r d . S h e w a s a p p oi n t e d t o t he L i v e Oak Pu blic L i bra ry ’ s B o ard o f Tr u st e e s a n d se r v e s on t h e W ood v i l le T o mpk i n s Te chnical Hi gh Scho o l En gi n e e r i n g A d v i sor y B oa r d . A m b r i a b e l i e v e s t hat e xpos ure lead s to e xpan s i o n an d t h a t sh e i s h e l p i n g t o l a u n c h e a c h c h ild c lo s e r to t heir d reams #o n e ST EM a ta ti me .

Gabrielle Nelson

Co u n c il w o ma n Po r t W e n tw o rth , G a .

T h is Young Trailbl a ze r i s n o t o n l y a r i si n g st a r i n Ch a t h a m Cou n t y G a , but in t he s t at e of G eorgia. He r campai gn mo d e l i s “H a v i n g A H e a r t ”. S h e d oe s n o t c are a b out party politi cs , whi ch o f te n d iv i d e s i n st e a d of u n i t i n g , sh e on l y c a r e s abo ut th e bot tom line a n d ho w i t a f f e cts r e g u l a r c i t i z e n s. Th i s m ot h e r , w i fe , and a d vocate is every whe re f i ghti n g o n t h e fr on t l i n e s for e v e r y b od y ’s r i g h t s. S he ’s t he p a st S ecretary of the C ha tham C o u n t y De m oc r a t i c Com m i t t e e , a s w e l l as be ing o n th e board o f seve ra l cha ri tabl e , ci vi c , a n d g ov e r n m e n t a l or g a n i z a t i on s. S he ’s o nly th e t hi r d Af rican A me ri ca n f e mal e e l e c t e d i n t h e Ci t y of P or t W e n t w or t h, f o llo wing i n t he fo o tsteps o f F o rme r M ay o r P r o-Te m De b b i e J oh n son a n d B a r b a r a P o we rs .

W e c an loo k to s e e thi s y o un g tra i l b l a z e r i n t h e fu t u r e se t t i n g t r e n d s for o t he r y o ung w o men. T hi s Gi rl I s On F i re .

33

Lisa Rundstrom

Co m mu n ity A c ti v i st Lisa R un d s tr o m i s a mu lti -medi a a rtist wo r king in sculpt ur al int eract ive t echnolog ies , vide o, c o m m u n i ty a n d pu bl ic a rt. S h e is a published aut ho r and Pro fesso r o f Founda t i o n S tu d i e s a t S a v a n n a h College o f Art and Design in Savannah GA, where h er fo cus i s o n 4D , ti m e-ba sed medi a .

Sh e ha s e x h i b i te d in a rt cen ters, ga ller ies, museums and in public spaces nat i onally.

He r m os t r e c e n t w orks exten d i n to th e co mmunit y, pro d ucing inclusive public art and e vent s i n c l u d i n g th e n on -prof it Hel lo Neighbo r SAV & Hello N eighbo r Rad io fea t u red on comm un i ty r ad i o a n d strea min g.

He r w or k w i th th e commu n ity exten ds int o co alit io n build ing and is a member of t h e W e e p i ng T i m e C o a l iti on in ef f ort to pr eser ve t he hist o r ical sit e o f t he Weeping T ime Slave A u c ti o n i n W est S a v a n n a h a n d W o o d ville. She is a cert ified yo ga inst r uc t or and comm un i ty s e r v an t.

34

Va u gh nette Goode- wa l k er

Vaug hn ette G o o d e - Wa l ke r i s a hi s t or i a n , p oe t , jou r n a l i st , e d u c a t or , c u l t ural a dvoc ate and o rgan i ze r, e n tre pre n e u r , t r u t h sp e a k e r , l e g a c y h ol d e r , mus e um exec utive, and t o rch be a re r f o r tru t h , ju st i c e , a n d r i g h t e ou sn e ss. On e c o uld s ay s he i s a mu ltitale n te d ge n i us . Go od e -W a l k e r g r e w u p i n S a v a n n a h a n d C hat ham Count y. In f act s he we n t to hi gh s c h ool a s y ou n g g i r l t o Tom p k i n s H i g h S c ho o l.

H e r mo th er tau ght ho me e co n o mi c s a t Tom p k i n s a n d a t t i m e s sh e h a d t o go t h er e w ith m o th e r.

S ist a V as sh e is kn o wn to ma n y a c r oss t h e g l ob e i s a g r a d u a t e of S a i nt Vinc ent’ s Acad e my i n Sav an n a h, G A . La t e r h e r c ol l e g e e x p e r i e n c e w ould t ake h er t o the Atlan ta , Ga to be co me a M or r i s B r ow n W ol v e r i n e . Th e p r i d e of he r a l ma mater become s cl e a r a s s he p r ou d l y p r oc l a i m s “I ’m a Br ow n i t e ”.

H e r j ournalistic care e r has take n h e r t o Ch i c a g o, N e w Y or k Ci t y , A t l a n t a , and S avann ah . She i s o n e o f the a uth or s of B r ok e r s, Ba n k e r s, a n d Ba y La ne – a t r emend o us w o rk o n the e co n o mi c s a n d t h e fou n d a t i on of S a v a n n a h ’s we alt h – h uman traf f ick in g o f A f ri ca n s .

T he Ki ng- Tisd ell C o tta ge a n d the R a l p h M a r k G i l b e r t Ci v i l R i g h t s h a v e b e e n given new lif e and n e w me an i n g bas e d on h e r w or k b ot h m u se u m s. G ood e- W alke r o r g ani z ed so me o f the f i rs t Spo ke n W or d e v e n t s i n Ch a t h a m Cou n t y . A f o rme r m anager of regg a e ba n d i s a part of h e r b a c k g r ou n d .

T he fi ght f o r human ri ghts i s i n he r b l ood . Th e Ci v i l R i g h t s l e a d e r , R e v . F . D. Jaudon, “th e W al ki n g Pre ache r” , i s h e r u n c l e . G ood e -W a l k e r st a n d s on his s houl d ers, and t he s ho ul d e rs o f B e n ja m i n V a n Cl a r k , W . W . La w , E a r l S hi nholster, Esthe r Ga rri s o n , a n d c ou n t l e ss ot h e r s w h o sou g h t e q u a l i t y and eq uit y f or Af rica n pe o pl e he re a n d b e y on d . S h e l e t s b e k n ow n h e r w or k is p ayi ng respect a n d ho n o r to the i r l e g a c i e s.

35

Judge tammy stokes

C h ie f J u d g e Tam my Stok es i s the C hi e f J ud ge of Ch a t h a m Cou n t y ’s R e c or d e r ’s Cou rt in Savan nah, G eo rgi a, s he al s o s e rv e s a s J u d g e -e l e c t for t h e S u p e r i or Court o f he E ast ern D istrict.

J udg e Stok es h as s e rv e d i n C hath a m Cou n t y ’s R e c or d e r ’s Cou r t si n c e 2004, a n d becam e C hi e f J ud ge i n 2012, m a k i n g h i st or y b ot h t i m e s a s t h e fi r st blac k w om an jud ge, a n d f i rs t bl a ck chi e f ju d g e i n Ch a t h a m Cou n t y . P r i or t o he r c ur r ent w o rk , Sto ke s s e rv e d as J u d g e P r o-Te m p or e for t h e Ci t y of Th unde rbo lt , C hat ham C ounty P ro bate C o urt, a n d Ch a t h a m Cou n t y J u v e n i l e Cou r t . She als o ow ned a private l a w pra cti ce i n Sa v a n n a h fr om 1 996-2004.

P r evi o usly, Stoke s s e rv e d a s a n A ssi st a n t Di st r i c t A t t or n e y i n Fu l t on Co unt y, a n d A ssistant S o l i ci to r i n D e ka l b Cou n t y S ol i c i t or ’s Offi c e , a n d J u v e n i le C o urt .

She b egan her l a w care e r a s a s ta ff a t t or n e y w i t h t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s B oard o f V et er an Appeals i n Wa s hi n gto n , D . C. Tam my Stok es re ce i v e d he r J uri s Doc t or d e g r e e fr om t h e U n i v e r si t y of G e o rgia L aw S ch o o l, an d a Ba che l o r o f A rt s d e g r e e i n p sy c h ol og y fr om t h e U n ive rs it y of Georgia. She ca l l s he rs e l f a “tr i p l e d og ” b e c a u se sh e a l so g r a d u a t e d f ro m A . E . Beach H igh Scho o l i n Sav an n a h , w h ose m a sc ot i s a b u l l d og , l i k e the U niversity of G e o rgi a.

Bor n and raised i n Sa v an n a h, Ge or g i a , J u d g e Ta m m y S t ok e s d e d i c a t e s he r lif e to her h o meto wn thro ugh bo th he r w or k a n d i n v ol v e m e n t i n t h e c om m u nit y.

Tammy Mosley

Cle r k o f Su p e ri o r C o u rT H avi ng received he r un d e rgra d d e g r e e fr om M or r i s Br ow n Col l e g e a n d he r L aw D egree f rom D ra ke Un i v e rs i ty , Ta m m i e c a m e b a c k h om e t o se r v e .

T he S u perio r C ourt C l e rk i s kn o wn a s Th e M a st e r K e e p e r of Th e R e c or ds .

A ft er nu mero us y e ars wo rki n g i n di ffe r e n t a r e a s of t h e l a w , fr om S t a ff A t t or ney in Su pe ri o r C o urt, to prac t i c i n g l a w i n t h e p r i v a t e se c t or , T a m mie sets h e r s i ghts o n the he a d r e c or d s k e e p i n g job .

H er ex perience a n d e xpe rti s e i n th e ju d i c i a l sy st e m , p r ov i d e d h e r t h e o ppor tunity to sho w he r i n n o v ati v e a n d e n e r g e t i c v i si on on h ow t o i m p ro ve the case manag e me n t pro ce s s e s .

She volunteers a n d s e rv e s o n man y b oa r d s a n d or g a n i z a t i on s i n t h e Savannah - C hatham C o un ty are a.

T a m mie believe s i n gi v i n g back a n d sh ow i n g u p . S h e a t t e n d s e v e r y c omm unity even t e n ga gi n g wi th th e v ot e r s a n d c i t i z e n s of h e r c om m u nit y.

T hi s i s h o w sh e re al l y ke e ps the re c or d s, t h r ou g h A c c e ssi b i l i t y , T rans parency, a n d A cco un tabi l i ty. J u st c h e c k h e r r e c or d , sh e h a s t h e r ecei pts. Tam mi e i s part o f why W om e n R u l e Th e W or l d .

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38

flaujae johnson

M u s i c Artist/ Ath l e te Fl au’jae Jo hns o n ha s go t ta l e n t – 2 w a y s. S a v a n n a h b or n J oh n son h as be e n a s t ar i n entertain me n t as a rappe r a n d a s a t h l e t e i n b a sk e t b a l l .

One of Savann ah’ s l e ge n d a ry ra p p e r s t h e l a t e Ca m ofl a u g e a / k / a J a son Johnso n is her f athe r. He r gi f ts for w or d s, fl ow , a n d b a r s a r e i n h e r g e ne s .

Her Mo mager ( “Ha l f M o m Ha l f M a n a g e r ) sa i d on e of t h e fi r st t i m e sh e per formed she f e l l a s l e e p be f o re t h e p e r for m a n c e . H e r fa t h e r Ca m ou f lage woul d f all asle e p be f o re hi s pe rf or m a n c e .

A s i t stand s it’ s n o s l e e pi n g o n e i t h e r on e of t h e m . Fl a u ’ja e si g n e d a r ecord ing d ea l wi th the bi l l i o n ai r e J a y Z ’s R oc N a t i on . S h e p e r for m e d o n “A m erica’ s G o t T al e n t” . Pri o r to t h a t J e r m a i n e Du p r i h a d h e r a s a c ont e s t ant on “The Rap G ame ” .

S he’s im pressi v e wi th he r s ki l l s on t h e m i c a n d st a g e b u t Fl a u ’ja e i s a n e ve n lar g er stand o ut. J o hn s o n wa s a st e l l a r p e r for m e r on t h e b a sk e t b a l l c o urt .

Her star loo me d l a rge a t Spra y be r r y H i g h S c h ool b e c om i n g on e of t h e mo s t s oug h t af ter re crui ts i n the co un t r y . A ft e r fi n i sh i n g h e r h i g h sc h ool c are e r s he t ook h er talents to Bato n Ro uge - Lou i si a n a S t a t e U n i v e r si t y (LS U ) . P laying in t he t ough So uthe a s te rn C o n f e re n c e (S E C) Fl a u ’ja e J oh n son h a s b e e n name d t he F reshman of the Y e a r i n the Con fe r e n c e .

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March - 2023

Women's History Month Edition