--- title: SR 591. Spelman Day; recognize collection: bills id: 2025-2026/sr591 cite_as: SR 591, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr591 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr591.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr591/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72334 date: 2026-01-27 status: passed corpus_version: bills-2026-09-13 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/sr590.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr592.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 94 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr591.md?full=1 bill_number: SR 591 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: Senate bill_type: resolution status_date: 2026-01-27 last_action: Senate Read and Adopted sponsors: - Gail Davenport text_version: Enrolled has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SR591/2025 upstream_id: 2091216 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - Spelman College - higher education - Georgia Senate resolution - historically Black colleges - Atlanta --- # SR 591. Spelman Day; recognize ## Text Senate Resolution 591 By: Senator Davenport of the 17th A RESOLUTION Recognizing Spelman Day at the Georgia State Capitol; and for other purposes. WHEREAS, Spelman College, founded in 1881, in Atlanta, Georgia, is a nationally acclaimed private liberal arts college for women and the oldest historically Black college for women in the United States; and WHEREAS, for more than 143 years, Spelman College has been dedicated to academic excellence, leadership development, and social responsibility, educating women to engage the world and effect positive social change; and WHEREAS, Spelman College is the number one producer of Black women who complete doctoral degrees in STEM disciplines, according to the National Science Foundation, and continues to lead the nation in preparing women for advanced study and leadership in science, technology, education, public service, and the arts; and WHEREAS, Spelman College enrolls approximately 2,500 students, offers 34 academic majors and 39 minors, maintains an 11:1 student-faculty ratio, and reports that 86 percent of full-time faculty hold doctoral degrees or the terminal degree in their field, underscoring the College's commitment to rigorous academic instruction and mentorship; and WHEREAS, Spelman College reports a 76 percent six-year graduation rate, significantly exceeding the national average, and approximately one-third of Spelman students pursue graduate or professional degrees, reflecting strong academic preparation and student success outcomes; and WHEREAS, Spelman College has produced a global network of more than 20,000 alumnae worldwide, including leaders in government, education, business, healthcare, science, the arts, and nonprofit and civic life, many of whom live and work throughout the state of Georgia and contribute meaningfully to its workforce, civic institutions, and communities; and WHEREAS, Spelman College serves as a vital anchor institution within the Atlanta University Center and the West End community, generating economic impact, and advancing workforce development and community engagement initiatives across the state; and WHEREAS, Spelman Day at the Georgia State Capitol provides an important opportunity for students, alumnae, faculty, staff, and policymakers to engage in civic dialogue, highlight the College's statewide and global impact, and reaffirm the importance of higher education partnerships in advancing Georgia's economic vitality, educational access, and public good. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body recognize Spelman Day at the Georgia State Capitol and commend Spelman College for its enduring legacy of academic excellence, leadership development, and service to the State of Georgia, the nation, and the world. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the representatives of Spelman College. ## 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 Senate resolution recognizes Spelman Day at the Georgia State Capitol, commending Spelman College in Atlanta for its history, academic record, and impact on the state. ### Plain-language summary This resolution from the Georgia Senate formally recognizes Spelman Day at the Georgia State Capitol. It highlights Spelman College's founding in 1881 as the oldest historically Black college for women in the United States and cites statistics about its enrollment, academic programs, faculty credentials, graduation rate, and alumnae network. The resolution does not change any Georgia law. It is a ceremonial statement in which the Senate commends Spelman College for its academic excellence, leadership development, and contributions to Georgia's workforce and communities. It directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare copies of the resolution for distribution to representatives of Spelman College. ### What it does - Formally recognizes Spelman Day at the Georgia State Capitol as a designated occasion for the Senate. - Commends Spelman College for its academic history, leadership development programs, and community impact. - Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare copies of the resolution for distribution to Spelman College representatives. - Creates no new law, funding, or regulatory requirement; it is a symbolic statement by the Senate. ### Who it affects Spelman College, its students, faculty, staff, and alumnae are named directly in the resolution. Members of the Georgia Senate and visitors to the Capitol on Spelman Day are also involved in the recognition described in the text. ### Why it matters The resolution has no legal effect on Georgians but publicly honors Spelman College's role in higher education and its alumnae network across the state, and it formalizes an event where students, faculty, and policymakers can interact at the Capitol. ### Key provisions - The whereas clauses describe Spelman College's founding in 1881, its academic rankings, enrollment figures, and graduation statistics. - The resolution notes Spelman College's more than 20,000 alumnae worldwide and their presence in Georgia's workforce and civic life. - The resolving clause formally recognizes Spelman Day at the Georgia State Capitol and commends the college. - The final clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to Spelman College representatives. ## Status - Status: Passed (2026-01-27) - Last action: Senate Read and Adopted (2026-01-27) - Sponsors: Gail Davenport - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72334 > The history, votes, and amendments (94 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr591.md?full=1