1995 Was A Good Year

Day 336- "And one of the great liabilities of life is that all to many people find themselves living amid a great period of social change and yet they fail to develop the new attitudes, the new mental response that the new situation demands. They end up sleeping through the revolution." - Dr. Martin Luther King "Remaining Awake Through a Great Revolution" sermon.

Back in 1995, sixty people were strategically selected to be a part of Leadership Atlanta's class of 1995. Tonight, 20 of us would come together to celebrate with a 15 year reunion dinner. The above quote seemed fitting as the majority of us experienced a life changing social shift during this year together.

We went around the room and all shared what they had been doing since the class got together five years ago. A common theme echoed throughout was how the experience of going through Leadership Atlanta had changed their life. Especially, Race Relations Day which was taught by a pioneer of social change Dr. C.T. Vivian.

Another heart thummper was that over half of those in attendance had been married for over 25 years. I salute , Greg Stone & his wife of 47 years, Steve & Candy 35 years, Joyce Fleming & her husband 29 years, Ralph Levy and his wife 42 years. I don't remember every one's dates but can you feel how extraordinary these men and women are? How blessed am I to be counted as one of them.

I salute, Greg Stone & wife of 47 years, Steve & Candy Berman 35 years, Joyce Fleming & her husband 29 years, Ralph Levy and his wife 42 years. I don't remember every one's dates but can you feel how extraordinary these men and women are? What a strong testimony to the institution of marriage.

Dr. Arnie Rubenstein was the oldest gentlemen present a 70 years old. He looked marvelous and his words were both eloquent and gracious. I salute, Chuck & Missy Wolf for opening up their beautiful home to us. Salute, Frank McCloskey, who has been at Georgia Power for 37 years and Ralph Levy, King & Spalding for 36 years.

Thank you Barbra Kaufman, Aida Flamn, Sallie Daniels, Frank McCloskey and Chuck Wolf for helping to bring this reunion to life it was the best.

Thank all of you for the genuine love shown tonight and for coming out;, Steve Berman, Regina Crothers, Sallie Daniel, Aida, Flamn, Joyce Fleming, Jack Halpern, Barbara Babbit Kaufman, Michael Kennedy, Steve Labovitz, Ralph Levy, Frank McCloskey, Adrienne Mims, Elena Merino, Janet Rechtman, Arnie Rubenstein, Debi Starnes, Greg Stone, Lynda Walker, Dexter Warrior, and Chuck Wolf. To those of you who wanted to be there but couldn’t’, you were missed. Especially you- Yolanda Cheatam, friend, soror and college classmate.

To the three we lost during these 15 years, Ricky Rowe, Beth Zoffman, an last week Lisa Tunnell may you rest in peace.