--- title: SR 436. 2025 Georgia Single Parent "Legacy Builders" Recognition and Awards finalists; recognize collection: bills id: 2025-2026/sr436 cite_as: SR 436, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr436 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr436.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr436/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71543 date: 2025-03-21 status: passed corpus_version: bills-2026-08-28 license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice. up: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026.md previous: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr435.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr437.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 94 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr436.md?full=1 bill_number: SR 436 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: Senate bill_type: resolution status_date: 2025-03-21 last_action: Senate Read and Adopted sponsors: - RaShaun Kemp - Jason Esteves - Elena Parent - Freddie Sims - Derek Mallow - Michael Rhett text_version: Enrolled has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SR436/2025 upstream_id: 2012245 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - single parents - legislative honors - Georgia Senate resolutions - community recognition --- # SR 436. 2025 Georgia Single Parent "Legacy Builders" Recognition and Awards finalists; recognize ## Text 25 LC 112 3393 Senate Resolution 436 By: Senators Kemp of the 38th, Esteves of the 35th, Parent of t he 44th, Sims of the 12th, Mallow of the 2nd and others A RESOLUTION Recognizing and commending the 2025 Georgia Single Parent "Lega cy Builders"1 Recognition and Awards finalists, "Overcomer Founder" Award, "Ruth Brewster Endurance"2 Award, and Historian Award recipients for their achievements; and for other purposes.3 WHEREAS, in recognition of the valuable contributions of single parents in Georgia, House4 Resolution 279 was enacted, designating March 21 of each year a s Georgia Single Parent5 Day; and6 WHEREAS, The National Leadership Group Inc., in partnership wit h former State7 Representative Valencia Stovall, identified the need for an ann ual event, launching the8 Georgia Single Parent "Legacy Builders" Recognition and Awards in 2019 to honor the9 dedication and accomplishments of single parents, regardless of gender, cultural background,10 or economic status; and11 WHEREAS, the Georgia Single Parent "Overcomer Founder" Award, established by former12 State Representative Valencia Stovall in 2022, recognizes single parents who have triumphed13 over significant challenges to provide their children with the opportunity to thrive and14 succeed; and15 S. R. 436 - 1 - 25 LC 112 3393 WHEREAS, the Georgia Single Parent "Ruth Brewster Endurance" Award, established by16 Mother Ruth Brewster in 2023, honors single parents who perseve re through adversity to17 create a nurturing, supportive environment for their children's success; and18 WHEREAS, the Historian Award, introduced in 2025, celebrates extraordinary single parents19 whose remarkable achievements and resilience have defied the odds, broken barriers, and left20 a lasting impact, inspiring future generations; and21 WHEREAS, 38 outstanding single parents have been nominated for recognition at the 202522 Georgia Single Parent "Legacy Builders" Recognition and Awards event, with the following23 awardees: Shayla Lawrence (Education) of Atlanta, April Baylis (Medical & Health) of24 Atlanta, Dr. Eddie Gordon (Community Service) of Ellenwood, Shalondra Gurley (Business25 Owner) of Hiram, Latasha Frazier (Public Service) of Jonesboro, Tiffanie Bacon26 (Faith-Based) of Morrow, and Jyshon Harrell Sr. (Arts & Entertainment) of Loganville; and27 WHEREAS, the 2025 Georgia Single Parent "Overcomer Founder" Award recipients are Dr.28 Hazel Jay of Riverdale and Christopher Walls of Lithia Springs; and29 WHEREAS, the 2025 Georgia Single Parent "Ruth Brewster Endurance" Award recipient30 is Rhema Davis of Marietta; and31 WHEREAS, the 2025 Georgia Single Parent "Historian" Award recip ient is Dr. Melody32 Kelley of Sandy Springs; and33 WHEREAS, parents devote immeasurable time, energy, and care to raising their children,34 ensuring they grow into responsible, productive, and successful adults; and35 S. R. 436 - 2 - 25 LC 112 3393 WHEREAS, the challenges of raising children as a single parent in today's society are36 particularly daunting; and37 WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper to honor the outstanding acco mplishments of these38 remarkable individuals for their exemplary contributions and unwavering dedication.39 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body40 recognize and commend the recipients of the 2025 Georgia Single Parent "Legacy Builders"41 Recognition and Awards for their exceptional role as single-parent leaders and extend best42 wishes for continued success.43 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed44 to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for dis tribution to each of the45 recipients named herein.46 S. R. 436 - 3 - ## Summaries written by Georgia Commons The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the resolution. Quote the text, not the summary. A Georgia Senate resolution honors the finalists and award recipients of the 2025 Georgia Single Parent "Legacy Builders" Recognition and Awards, a ceremonial event recognizing single parents' achievements. ### Plain-language summary This resolution from the Georgia Senate recognizes participants in the 2025 Georgia Single Parent "Legacy Builders" Recognition and Awards, an annual event started in 2019 by The National Leadership Group Inc. and former State Representative Valencia Stovall to honor single parents' dedication and accomplishments. The resolution names 38 nominees and specific award winners across categories such as Education, Medical & Health, Community Service, Business Owner, Public Service, Faith-Based, and Arts & Entertainment. It also recognizes recipients of the "Overcomer Founder" Award, the "Ruth Brewster Endurance" Award, and a new Historian Award introduced in 2025. The Senate resolves to commend these individuals and directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to each recipient. ### What it does - Formally recognizes and commends the named finalists and winners of the 2025 Georgia Single Parent "Legacy Builders" Recognition and Awards event. - Names specific individuals receiving the "Overcomer Founder" Award, the "Ruth Brewster Endurance" Award, and the new Historian Award. - Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute copies of the resolution to each named recipient. - Extends the Senate's best wishes to the honorees for continued success, with no changes to Georgia law or funding. ### Who it affects The resolution directly names and honors specific single parents from across Georgia who were nominated or won awards in 2025, along with the organizations that run the awards event and the Secretary of the Senate, who must distribute copies of the resolution. ### Why it matters The resolution carries no legal or funding effect; it is a ceremonial statement by the Georgia Senate publicly recognizing the honorees' personal achievements, giving them formal acknowledgment from the state legislature. ### Key provisions - Notes that House Resolution 279 previously designated March 21 as Georgia Single Parent Day. - Lists the 2025 award nominees and winners by name, category, and hometown. - Resolves that the Senate recognizes and commends the recipients for their achievements. - Directs the Secretary of the Senate to make copies available for distribution to each named recipient. ## Status - Status: Passed (2025-03-21) - Last action: Senate Read and Adopted (2025-03-21) - Sponsors: RaShaun Kemp, Jason Esteves, Elena Parent, Freddie Sims, Derek Mallow, Michael Rhett - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71543 > The history, votes, and amendments (94 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr436.md?full=1