SR900: SR900 Culbreath, Phenola; commend

This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia Senate, not a change to state law. It honors Phenola Culbreath, who was born in Atlanta in 1946 and educated in Atlanta Public Schools before attending Clark College (now Clark Atlanta University). The resolution recounts that she was among the first Black employees hired by Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph Company and later became one of Delta Air Lines' first Black stewardesses, the only Black member of her 50 person training class. The resolution notes she served Delta Air Lines for 36 years before retiring in 2001 and once met civil rights leader Benjamin Hooks. The Senate formally commends her for her achievements and directs the Secretary of the Senate to give her a copy of the resolution.

• Formally commends Phenola Culbreath on behalf of the Georgia Senate for her career and personal achievements.
• Recites her biography, including her hiring by Southern Bell and by Delta Air Lines as one of its first Black stewardesses.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to Phenola Culbreath.
• Creates no new law, funding, or penalty, since it is a ceremonial resolution rather than a bill amending Georgia statutes.

The resolution directly names and honors Phenola Culbreath. It also involves the Secretary of the Senate, who is directed to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to her.

The resolution has no legal or regulatory effect on Georgians generally. Its significance is symbolic: it places an official Senate record honoring Culbreath's career, including her role as one of Delta Air Lines' first Black flight attendants, into the public record.

• The whereas clauses describe Culbreath's birth in Atlanta in 1946, her education at Atlanta Public Schools and Clark College, and her early work at Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph Company.
• The resolution recounts her hiring by Delta Air Lines as one of its first Black stewardesses and her 36 year career there before retiring in 2001.
• The resolved clause has the Senate commend her for her achievements and extend well wishes for her continued health and happiness.
• A further resolved clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make a copy available for distribution to Culbreath.

1. 2026-03-04Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2026-03-03Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Tonya Anderson (D, SD-043)Primary sponsor
• Gail Davenport (D, SD-017)
• Kenya Wicks (D, SD-034)
• Harold Jones (D, SD-022)
• Elena Parent (D, SD-044)
• Donzella James (D, SD-028)
• Ed Harbison (D, SD-015)
• RaShaun Kemp (D, SD-038)
• Randal Mangham (D, SD-055)
• Freddie Sims (D, SD-012)
• David Lucas (D, SD-026)
• Nabilah Islam Parkes (D, SD-007)
• Sheikh Rahman (D, SD-005)
• Derek Mallow (D, SD-002)
• Emanuel Jones (D, SD-010)

• commendation resolution
• Delta Air Lines history
• civil rights history
• Atlanta history