PRESS ADVISORY: Inspiring Mothers of Georgia (4/29)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: PRESS ADVISORYCONTACT: Elise Blasingame- 404-205-6680elise.blasingame@hmhbga.orgApril 20, 2018- Atlanta, GA- Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia (HMHB) is proud to announce the winners of the 2018 Inspiring Mothers of Georgia Awards.After receiving nominations from across the State from many communities, six honorees were selected for their embodiment of the essential characteristics for the award: strength, kindness, caring, sacrifice and generosity."These women have not only demonstrated these qualities as mothers and family members, but have also made great contributions to their communities," says Pam Wilkes, Board President of HMHB. "We cannot wait to celebrate them, their families and their community impact next Sunday." [accordion clicktoclose=true][accordion-item title="Amy Corn" ] Amy Corn is a Maternal Mental Health Advocate. She works with mothers who are suffering with postpartum depression (PPD) and postpartum anxiety (PPA), with a focus on emotional wellbeing. She is a wife, mother of two, and a two-time survivor of both PPD and PPA.She works and volunteers full-time promoting awareness and education about the symptoms, risk factors and treatment options for postpartum depression and anxiety. She is a Postpartum Support International (PSI) State Coordinator for Georgia, which allows her to serve as a 'bridge' to connect mothers with the appropriate resources they need. Amy also serves on the board of the PSI GA Chapter as the Volunteer Coordinator where she has the privilege of chairing the Program & Education Committee. She works with an amazing team of volunteers to create maternal mental health based programs and training opportunities for the mothers, families, and providers in our state. Amy is passionate about the work that she does and strives to let other moms know that they are not alone, that they are not to blame for what's happening to them and that with the appropriate care they can completely recover. "I am humbled and deeply honored to have been nominated, let alone chosen for this award," says Amy. "There are so many great people doing so many great things for the mother's in our state, so to be honored among them is truly a privilege."[/accordion-item][accordion-item title="Alisha Cromartie" ]Alisha T. Cromartie (formerly Alisha T. Morgan), M.Ed., is Superintendent of Schools at Ivy Preparatory Academies, a network of all-girls public charter schools of excellence. She is recognized nationally as a trailblazing education leader and has proven to be the transformational leader that Ivy Preparatory Academies needed. Prior to fearlessly leading Ivy Prep Academies, Morgan made history at age 23, by becoming the first African American to serve in the Georgia legislature representing residents of one of Georgia’s largest counties, Cobb County, Georgia. Morgan was elected to six terms in the Georgia House of Representatives where she served on the Education, Appropriations and Health & Human Services Committees. During her tenure in the legislature, Morgan led some of the most pivotal education reforms in the state. She coauthored the state’s Teacher and Leader Evaluation System, and authored the state intra-district transfer law, allowing parents to choose the best public school within their district, regardless of zip code. She was also appointed by Former United States Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan to a bipartisan working group to address the need to reauthorize ESEA, as well as look at the nation’s need to raise its academic standards. “I am honored to be nominated for this award on behalf of mothers like me everywhere," says Cromartie. "I am often in awe of all that moms can do, starting with my own mom. Thank you HMHB for honoring women who have figured out how to run the world while serving our communities and families at the same time.” [/accordion-item][accordion-item title="Faye Montgomery" ]Faye Montgomery is the mother of four children, Olivia, Jackson, Josephine, and Ingrid, and wife to William Baird. When her daughter, Olivia, was killed in an accident in 2014, Faye made a promise to Olivia that she would continue fighting for disability justice in Olivia’s legacy. In 2014 Faye became the Advocacy Director at The Matthew Reardon Center for Autism in Savannah, GA. The Matthew Reardon Center provides advocacy and support for families and individuals throughout the coastal Georgia region. Faye is a graduate of Partners in Policymaking, and a graduate of Social Role Valorization. Through her work at the Matthew Reardon Center she fights for disability justice and meaningful inclusion in her community "I am honored and humbled to be nominated for this award," says Montgomery. "I am but ONE mother out of MANY mothers, and fathers, in Savannah who every day takes up the fight for equality and justice for our kids. I hope that we can all celebrate this hard work together." [/accordion-item][/accordion][accordion clicktoclose=true][accordion-item title="Keri Norris" ]Prior to coming to The FDHA she worked at the Centers for Disease Control for seven years and held positions as a health scientist, evaluator and epidemiologist.  She has also served on the advisory council for the CDC's University School of Public Health Research and Medicine. She has extensive and specific experience in the areas of eliminating health disparities for vulnerable populations in the United States. She has also served as an adjunct faculty member at several institutions of higher learning such as the University of South Carolina, Agnes Scott College, Spelman College and Morehouse School of Medicine. Dr. Norris holds a Bachelor of Arts in Africana Studies from Agnes Scott College, a Masters of Public Health in Health Administration, Management and Policy from Morehouse School of Medicine's Master of Public Health Program, and a certificate of graduate study in Gender and Women's Studies from University of South Carolina.  She earned her Doctor of Philosophy in Health Promotion, Education and Behavior from the University of South Carolina. “I am honored to be named an Inspiring Mother of Georgia by Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies of Georgia," says Norris. "This award is humbling because I am truly doing what I sincerely love and that’s advocating for others, serving communities and working towards equity for all."  [/accordion-item][accordion-item title="Limia Obadi" ]Limia Obadi is the Domestic Violence Program Director at Tapestri, Inc.  She first began working with Tapestri as a volunteer in March 2009, but has been in her current position since February 2010. She is also the only staff in the organization that is a DOJ Accredited Representative, she helps survivors with Immigration petitions. As the Program Director, she manages program coordinators and conducts multicultural training programs for court personnel, law enforcement and immigrant communities. She works to establish collaborative relationships with keys members of the immigrant communities in order to facilitate victim access to available resources. She speaks Amharic and Arabic. Ms. Obadi has a Bachelor’s of Art in Sociology and a Masters in Public Administration with concentration on non-profit management from Kennesaw State University. She has two kids and enjoys spending time with her family. “I am grateful for this award.  I am driven every day to help families get to a better place because everyone deserves to live a safe and healthy life. Our home should be our safe haven.”[/accordion-item][/accordion][accordion clicktoclose=true][accordion-item title="Petrice Wilson" ]Petrice Wilson was born and raised in Waynesboro, GA, to Robert and Rosa Wilson. Petrice is a 2003 alumni of Burke County High School and a 2005 graduate of Augusta Technical College, where she studied Business and Cosmetology.  She is working towards obtaining her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with Troy University. Petrice is an inspiring mother to many and the mother to the late Aaron Wilson, whom gained his wings on October 4, 2017. She is also the founder of The Miraculous Blossom. The Miraculous Blossom gets its name from her son Aaron. In the bible Aaron was remembered for his Miraculous Blossom of his staff and rod.  She started the Miraculous Blossom in 2014 to assist parents blossom and know that “a disability is just a perspective”.   Alongside of being a great mother, Petrice wears many hats.  Just to name a few she is an advocate for women and babies, a  motivational speaker, a Parent to Parent Navigational team leader, a Board member of the Georgia Easter Seals "I am nothing without God. Receiving such a distinguished award is a gratifying honor with immeasurable humbleness. The more humble we stay the more God Blesses us." [/accordion-item][/accordion]

Their full bios can be found at this link.

Each of the honorees will be presented with their award along with gifts and prizes from their communities on April 29, 2018 at HMHB's 2nd Annual Mother's Day Luncheon & Inspiring Mothers of Georgia Awards Celebration at Loudermilk Conference Center. Media may RSVP to: mashanda.burton@hmhbga.org.

FEATURING:

Judge Glenda Hatchett Keynote Speaker

Lori Wilson Honorable Emcee

 

ABOUT HEALTHY MOTHERS, HEALTHY BABIES COALITION OF GEORGIA:Working to improve maternal and infant health in Georgia through advocacy, education and access to vital resources since 1974.