Cascade Legislators Join Links At The Capitol Day

Cascade state Sens. Vincent Fort and Donzella James were among the legislators who met with participants in this year's Links Day at the Georgia Capitol 2012, which was held this past week.

The Links Inc. founded in 1946, is an international organization consisting of 12,000-plus women committed to leadership, friendship and service. The topic at this year's meeting was “Understanding the Linkages Among Childhood Obesity, S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Education and Closing the Achievement Gap.”

Moderated by Judge Yvette Miller (Georgia Court of Appeals) and Patsy Jo Hilliard (former mayor of East Point), the panelists included Dr. Henri Treadwell, director and senior social scientist for Community Voices and professor at Morehouse School of Medicine; Dr. Bradley Scott, senior education associate with the Intercultural Development Research Association; Dr. Carmen Sidbury,  associate provost for research at Spelman College, and Tiffany Calloway Ferrell, director of regional operations, AGL Resources, Inc.

Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle acknowledged The Links, Inc., prior to state Sen. Gloria Butler presenting a resolution recognizing The Links on the floor of the Senate.  Former Southern Area Director Mary Currie addressed the Senate, reminding them that “childhood obesity has become an epidemic in Georgia and that one in every three children in our state is overweight or obese.”

Following lunch in the Coverdell Legislative Office Building, special recognition and honors were given to several elected officials including Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, who was recognized for his support of Atlanta’s children through his efforts to establish the new Centers for Hope.