History of the Atlanta Chapter

“All good things must continue”.  This was the sentiment of Mrs. August Wilbanks and Mrs. Shirline Johnson, former members of the DC Chapter of Les Gemmes, Incorporated in November, 1994, when they decided that Atlanta, GA deserved a Chapter.  Subsequently, many conversations with officers of the Washington, DC Chapter took place along with agreement to sponsor an Atlanta Chapter. This was the beginning of the planning process for what would become the 10th Chapter of the illustrious Les Gemmes organization.  

It was an exciting weekend when an Atlanta Chapter was chartered on September 21, 1995 at the Sheraton Colony Square Midtown Hotel in Atlanta.  Eleven prospective members were delighted to see all of the officers and members who traveled to Atlanta to take part in the Chartering Ceremony.  The pride among the prospective members was displayed as they took their pledge during the solemn occasion.   Members inducted were:  Julia Holmes, Ruby Lue, Georgette Blakey, Antoinette Simpson, Lee Norris, Thelma Taylor, Julia Holmes, Shirline Johnson, Verna James, Beverly Travis, and Augusta Wilbanks.

The Chapter got off to a good start under the leadership of their committed officers who had been elected earlier in 1995. The members began looking forward to their activities of community service and sponsored their first family for Christmas in December.  It was an exciting project to shop for the Eden Family that consisted of a single mother and three girls, ages 5, 8, and 11.

Numerous activities, national and local programs and projects, have continued to keep the Atlanta Chapter members constructively occupied.   The membership through the past twenty nine years has wavered back and forth, and as high as twenty three.  The current membership that consists of seventeen, is focused on  reaching their highest number of committed,  service-oriented women for the chapter; and looks forward to giving itself and interesting 30th Anniversary present next September, 2025.  Therefore, they suggest that “all should stay tuned.”