ATLANTA — The Metropolis of Atlanta is honoring Shirley Clarke Franklin, the primary African American girl to function mayor of the town, as Black Historical past Month 2025 kicks off.
On Monday, Feb. 3, the Atlanta Metropolis Council unanimously handed two ordinances to pay tribute to Franklin’s legacy. Central Avenue was renamed “Shirley Clarke Franklin Boulevard” (24-O-1617) and Westside Reservoir Park was renamed “Shirley Clarke Franklin Park” (24-O-1622) as advisable by the Council fee to honor the 58th Mayor of the Metropolis of Atlanta.
Franklin, who served two phrases, was the primary African American girl to function mayor of a serious metropolis within the trendy South.
Throughout her tenure, Mayor Franklin led the efforts for the Atlanta BeltLine venture and funding ventures for enhancements to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Worldwide Airport. She additionally championed developments for metropolis parks, reasonably priced housing, water infrastructure initiatives, and led the acquisition of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s private papers.
A number of members of the Atlanta Metropolis Council praised Franklin for her groundbreaking management:
“Renaming Central Avenue and Westside Reservoir Park after former Mayor Shirley Franklin is a testomony to her enduring legacy and profound affect on Atlanta. As somebody who witnessed her management firsthand, I can attest to her firmness, equity, and boldness in tackling tough points. Mayor Franklin’s contributions to Atlanta are immeasurable.
She pioneered our city panorama and persistently mentored our youth, creating alternatives that proceed to form lives. Her affect extends past our metropolis, resonating all through the nation. It’s with nice delight that we completely weave Mayor Franklin’s identify into the material of Atlanta. This honor serves as a continuing reminder of her visionary management, unwavering dedication to public service, and the constructive affect she’s had on generations of Atlantans.
This well-deserved recognition will encourage future leaders and stand as validation of Mayor Franklin’s transformative work. Congratulations, Mayor Franklin, on this becoming tribute to your outstanding legacy,” stated District 10 Council member Andrea Boone.
“Mayor Shirley Franklin is an influential chief and her transformative function in changing into the primary feminine mayor of a serious southern metropolis performed a pivotal function in our metropolis’s development and revitalization. As a member of the fee that fostered the suggestions, we’re excited to approve laws that commemorates Mayor Franklin’s dedication to the town of Atlanta and its residents. She led efforts to boost Atlanta’s infrastructure, foster group engagement, and form the town’s future. The ordinances mirror the significance of the Atlanta Metropolis Council’s continued efforts to honor and acknowledge our leaders,” stated District 11 Council member Marci Collier Overstreet.
“I met Mayor Franklin when, as a politically eighth grader, I walked into the opening of her marketing campaign headquarters in August 2001. And over the quarter century since, have been one of many actually numerous people to learn from her sage recommendation, sensible counsel, intentional mentorship, and friendship. Not a sew of Atlanta historical past during the last 50 years has occurred with out her serving to mildew it,” stated Publish 2 At-Massive Matt Westmoreland.
“With the passing of the ordinances we honor the unbelievable legacy of our former mayor, Shirley Clarke Franklin. The popularity is a tribute to her imaginative and prescient and management. She guided a number of essential investments and initiatives in our metropolis that propelled Hartsfield-Jackson Worldwide Airport, expanded our parks, and renewed our dedication to the town’s water therapy initiatives. It’s due to Mayor Franklin’s dedication and dedication to Atlanta that we’ve got progressed by means of the final three a long time. To rename these places will function a reminder of her contributions to Atlanta’s future,” stated District 4 Council member Jason Dozier.
“We honor the legacy of a visionary chief, former Mayor Shirley Franklin, by renaming Westside Park to Shirley Clarke Franklin Park. Her willpower and foresight, for buying the land and quarry with the intention to remodel this space into each a beloved park and a essential water provide, laid the muse for a brighter, extra sustainable Atlanta. This park isn’t just an area for recreation—it’s a testomony to Mayor Franklin’s management, her dedication to our metropolis’s future, and the resilience of the individuals she served. I’m proud to face with my fellow Council members and Mayor Dickens in guaranteeing her legacy will proceed to encourage generations to come back,” stated District 9 Council member Dustin Hillis.
Former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin , acknowledged across the metro area, is introduced an honorary key to the Metropolis of Stonecrest . The occasion marked Stonecrest Mayor Jazzmin Cobble’s first State of the Metropolis handle in 2023. Photograph by Glenn L. Morgan/ocgnews.com
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