This meeting of the Rotary Club of Atlanta West End, a Member Showcase, was led by Co-President Elect Chris Hempfling who presided over the meeting. Following an invocation by Ms. Frances Ellison Dansby and the Pledge of Allegiance. Marilyn Jackson recalled in her DEI Moment the opening of Woodstock on August 15, 1969, which was one of the first times rock musicians and top billing performers such as Jimmy Hendrick, Joan Baez, The Who, Sly and the Family Stone, Richie Havens, Joe Crocker, plus other greats of different races performed at the same venue.
Community Updates
Mark Newman shared progress on the Mall at West End redevelopment — the impending implosion of the existing structures, the signing of three anchor tenants, and a longer-term phased construction plan, which includes three separate phases, each with its own building.
Sonia Hantman, Membership Director, will circulate ideas for a September social event.
Member Showcase – Carolina Ramos
Carolina Ramos, AWER’s Director of Service Projects and Government Affairs Manager at MARTA, shared her deeply personal story. Born into a remarkable and faith driven family from El Salvador during years of civil unrest, she spoke of her grandfather’s role in the FMLN militia, the political assassination of Archbishop Romero, the violence experienced at his funeral. and her family’s eventual immigration to Northern Virginia. Carolina cited the influence of her Catholic faith and strong female role models, including two aunts, one serving in Guatemala, one in the United States as nuns, and another who is a Pentecostal Clergy.
Her professional journey includes campaign work for Stacey Abrams, and internships on Capitol Hill: positions with U.S. Congresswoman Lucy McBath and U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff. Today, she brings her advocacy, planning and organizational skills to MARTA, and also as a volunteer member of the Hope Atlanta Professional board. She spoke about the realities and visibility of Atlanta’s Hispanic/Latino communities. Carolina provided MARTA updates: new trains, a modernized payment system ahead of the World Cup, station rehabilitations, and a bus network redesign. Carolina shared many excellent photos including one of her in "humble" beginnings, and also one of her and Vice President Kamala Harris.
The history of her El Salvadore homeland has seen much violence since its founding -independence in 1821. In the 1930s there have been a brutal dictatorship and fraudulent governments. She said the trauma has been too much to describe. Her grandfather was missing for ten years and presumed to be dead, but reemerged. The family is remarkable, taking responsibility through many leadership roles driven by their faith in God to be accountable to build better living opportunities. Her Godfather served in the U.S. Navy for 45 years and her Godmother also in the U.S. Navy for 20 years.
Carolina lives in the West End and feels fully dedicated to MARTA. Its leadership team is working on 136 separate projects ... and is unified in its commitment to create the best possible service for MARTA's metro Atlanta riders.
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Neil Shorthouse, KeyWay Reporter