In honor of Women’s History Month, U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04) will recognize 11 pioneering women from his congressional district on Saturday, March 21 at Lou Walker Senior Center in Lithonia.
This year’s recipients of the Trailblazer Award represent leaders who have broken barriers in their respective fields and made lasting contributions in social justice, education, home ownership, and voting rights. Johnson will deliver a tribute in honor of his longtime district director Kathy Register, who died in October 2025.
The honorees are:
Dr. Barbara Christian Campbell is an educator, real estate professional, and civic leader. She served for 30 years as the Christian Education Director at Shy Temple CME in Decatur. Campbell went to Chicago, IL., in 2024 to serve as a delegate at the Democratic National Convention. She is the chair of the Georgia Democratic Black Caucus.
Edwina Clanton has served as president of the NAACP DeKalb County Branch since 2023, “demonstrating strong leadership in civic engagement, justice, and community empowerment,” according to Johnson.
Jennifer Ffrench-Parker is the publisher and editor of CrossRoadsNews, a weekly community newspaper based in South DeKalb County. Under her leadership, CrossRoadsNews has grown from a monthly newsletter serving 30 subdivisions in 1995 to a nationally recognized community newspaper publishing 28,000 copies every week and reaching 100,000 readers online.
Sara A. Fountain is a civic leader known for decades of service in community engagement and public advocacy. She served as the executive director of Leadership DeKalb for a decade and founded the DeKalb Literacy Council. Passionate about the environment, Fountain has volunteered with Georgia Conservancy, Sierra Club, Georgia Organics, and more.
Josephine “Jo” Handy-Sewell is a lifelong community leader with more than 45 years of corporate leadership experience. She has advocated for DeKalb County’s water customers and voting rights, and served as Social Justice Ministry Director for the Beulah Missionary Baptist Church.
Bonnie Haynes is a seasoned financial professional with more than 40 years of experience in banking and credit unions. She’s a supporter of the arts in Dekalb County.
Dr. Felicia Moss Mayfield‘s career in education spans more than 50 years from classroom teacher to associate superintendent in DeKalb County. She taught at Clark Atlanta University for 12 years, serving as field director and department chair. Mayfield sits on the Georgia State University board of directors.
Stacey Thibodeaux is dedicated to expanding equitable access to homeownership and sustainable development. A real estate broker-owner, she participated in the recent three-day event with Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of American (NACA), the largest HUD-approved nonprofit homeownership and advocacy organization.
Dr. Vasanne Tinsley is the Superintendent of Student Services for DeKalb County School Board. An advocate for children and education, Tinsley has served on boards including DeKalb Board of Health, Mercer University and Clark University departments of counseling, and Quality Care for Children.
Verdaillia Turner is a lifelong educator, labor leader, and advocate for public education. She’s the president of Georgia Federation of Teachers and has dedicated 30 years to empowering students and educators across Georgia.
Finally, Kathy Holt Register served as district director for Congressman Hank Johnson from 2007 to 2025, “leading the Fourth Congressional District office with professionalism, compassion, humility, and unwavering dedication to public service,” Johnson said.
Special guests at the event will include Poet Laureate Hank Stewart, trumpeter Melvin M. Miller, and award-winning actor and singer Zora Umeadi.