OUR HISTORY
Azalea City (GA) Chapter was chartered on June 26, 1995, by a diverse group of dynamic women who represented many professional fields in Atlanta, Georgia at the Hotel Nikko. Today, members of the Azalea City (GA) Chapter are outstanding leaders in the fields of business, education, finance, government, law, literacy, medicine, technology, corporate management, and science. The members sit on national, regional, state, and local boards of major organizations serving the business, academic, social, and civic communities. Azalea City (GA) Chapter is one of six chapters in the Metropolitan Atlanta area.
Through the years, the leadership has ensured that the Chapter focuses on National and Southern Area program initiatives and as a result, the chapter has created outstanding, innovative award-winning programs and has received several awards both at the organization's National Assembly and Southern Area Conferences. Our Charter members are: Nellie Adams; Marilyn Arrington, Carolyn H. Byrd, Nancy Hill Cooke, Brooke J. Edmond, Francine Edwards, Penny Etienne-Boone, Delores B. Gibson, Yvonne K. Gloster, Billie C. Greenwell, Joyce Hendricks, Azira G. Hill, Beatrice P. Hill*, Marilyn V. Holmes, Bunnie Jackson Ransom, Cheryl Lomax, Patricia Lottier, Rubye McCLendon*, Barbara McGhee, Lucretia Payton-Stewart, Lillian Rance*, Synthia T. Roberson, Mary Shy Scott*, Marcia Prewitt Spiller, Eva Stroud*, Althea L. Turk, Charlotte W. Turk*, Tina Tyler, Ellen Wade-McQueen, and Gerri Watkins Wiley. (Asterisk (*) indicates deceased Charter Member)
Giving Back...
AZALEA CITY (GA) CHAPTER'S HIGHLIGHTS
- $25,000 to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta - Donated $25,000 to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Hughes Spalding hospital in 2014
- Covenant House Georgia - Providing on-going support of the Covenant House Georgia in Metro Atlanta with sustainable programs, workshops, meals, gifts, and special support to the Rights of Passage residents
- Azira G. Hill Scholarship Fund - Providing on-going monetary support of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s Talent Development Program, as a donor to the Azira G. Hill Scholarship Fund, so named for one of Azalea City’s beloved Alumna and Charter member, Azira G. Hill
- Partnership with “Be the Match,” - Created a partnership with “Be the Match,” which is operated by the National Marrow Donor Program as a cornerstone of Azalea City’s Health & Human Services programming; partnered with Morehouse College in conducting multiple blood drives which included information on tissue & organ donation
- Partnership Against Domestic Violence - Offered support of Partnership Against Domestic Violence (PADV) with donations of personal care items
- Supported Carrie Steele-Pitts orphanage - Supported Carrie Steele-Pitts orphanage with donations of goods, services, and scholarships to students who matriculated to a higher education.
- Supported the Kinship Center - Supported the Kinship Center/Grandparents Raising Grandchildren “Umbrella Program” through workshops, mentoring, field trips and the purchase of a 15-passenger van as well as the purchase of a piano for piano lessons; provided a well-attended Health Fair for over 400 participants of the Clayton County community in addition to other monetary support
- Atlanta Ministry for International Students - Supported the Atlanta Ministry for International Students and the Morehouse School of Medicine’s International Health Council’s medical mission to Haiti through Project MEDISHARE
- Teen Empowerment Program - Implemented Teen Empowerment Program at inner-city Washington High School, Atlanta, GA
- Planned Beau-Cotillion - Planned Beau-Cotillion 1997, 2000, 2003, an event introducing young ladies and young men into society
- Implemented annual Pre-Holiday Artisan Showcase, - Implemented annual Pre-Holiday Artisan Showcase, which focuses on exposing minority artisans to the community
- Supported Bethune Elementary School - Supported Bethune Elementary School with a $10,000 donation over 2014-2015 academic year
- Awarded over $10,000 in scholastic support - Awarded over $10,000 in scholastic support of former SWAGG student at Savannah State University during the 2014-2018 academic years
- Remembering Our Legends and Honoring our Torchbearers, - Implemented “Remembering Our Legends and Honoring our Torchbearers,” also a 2012 collaboration with the GA Legislative Black Caucus providing a showcase exhibit at the Auburn Avenue Research Library on the legislative journey for African American legislators
- Trumpet Awards program - Azalea City Links Chapter awarded educational scholarships through the Trumpet Awards program to students
- Provided support of orphanage - Provided support of orphanage in the Ivory Coast of Africa, delivering much needed supplies, materials and toys for the children including collecting and sending Black Dolls and books to South African students
- La Gonâve Haiti Partnership - Partnered with La Gonâve Haiti Partnership, a local organization which helps Haitians to improve access to healthcare, education, economic opportunity, sanitation and clean water. Additionally, Azalea City Chapter over the years has partnered with La Gonâve in providing girls dresses, medical and personal supplies, baby kits, shoes and financial support for medicine in Haiti
- Supported the Fulton County Juvenile Court - Supported the Fulton County Juvenile Court with “Project SWAGG: Linking Success to Better Choices,” a confidence and character-building program 2012–2015
- Developed “Haitian and Proud,” - Developed “Haitian and Proud,” focusing on health and social awareness for Atlanta-area Haitians
- Supported students - Supported students involved in the Maynard Jackson Youth Foundation Leadership Development Program
Through Azalea City (GA) Chapter’s umbrella program, the chapter provided ongoing support to the Covenant House of Georgia, a refuge and safe haven for homeless youth in Atlanta. Our program places special emphasis on mentoring and assisting this special population of residents who are in their final stages of residency at the shelter and are making plans for independent living. Azalea City has created a special bond with these residents and has provided workshops, jewelry making sessions, political awareness seminars, job readiness workshops, field trip experiences, food, clothing, and real-life assistance to these young people. One Connecting Link even taught the young men how to tie a necktie, a life changing event, which several of the youth had never experienced. Additionally, over the last five years, Azalea City (GA) Chapter has formed an invaluable partnership with Hollis Innovation Academy (formerly Bethune Elementary School) in developing an integrated program with a strong emphasis being placed on literacy, career development, and STEM education.
Azalea City (GA) Chapter continues to provide world class service and transformational programming in an effort to strengthen our bonds of friendship and fulfill our promise of providing impactful service to our communities. And for this reason, we look forward to continuing outstanding service to the Greater Atlanta Community and beyond in many years to come.