Infrastructure

While women make their mark in every continent, country, state, city and town every day, District 1 Commissioner Robert Patrick every year recognizes women who move the needle every day in metro Atlanta and DeKalb County, Georgia. 

The Move to ‘Officially’ Celebrate Women’s History Dates to 1909

After decades of lobbying, March became internationally recognized as Women’s History Month. It’s an important time to celebrate the historic strides women are making, and to remember that less than a century ago, women in the United States couldn’t vote and didn’t have many of the same rights afforded to men. And despite having these rights now, women still face obstacles in the workplace, at home and in leadership positions. Celebrating accomplished women leaders is an important way to continue right the historic wrongs suffered by women. 

The move to recognize and celebrate women began in 1909 with the first Women’s History Day in New York City, commemorating the strike of 15,000 women who were garment workers in lower Manhattan. 

Fast forward to 1978, Women’s History Week kicked off in Sonoma County, California, recognizing March 8th as International Women’s Day. Women’s groups tirelessly campaigned for years after that to have Women’s History Week recognized on a larger scale. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter, the former Georgia governor, declared the week of March 8th Women’s History Week, and by 1987, women triumphed by lobbying Congress to officially declare March as Women’s History Month.

Celebration of Women

Commissioner Patrick recently honored the following women who are laying the foundation for the next generation of women in DeKalb County. 

Madame CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson

Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, the new CEO of DeKalb County, took office in January 2025, making history as the first African American woman elected to the role, in which she serves more than 762,000 residents and manages a $1.8 billion budget. 

Before her time as CEO, Cochran-Johnson served as the Super District 7 Commissioner in DeKalb and implemented key ordinances to enhance public safety and community development, including the trend-setting Small Box Store Ordinance that requires mandatory distance requirements to stop the proliferation of Family Dollar, Dollar Tree and Dollar General stores in DeKalb County. Similar ordinances have now been adopted in nine states. She also authored the DeKalb Video Surveillance System Ordinance, requiring mandatory video surveillance at gas and service stations. 

As the District 7 Commissioner, she and the Public Works & Infrastructure Committee successfully allocated over $1.4 billion in revenue. She required a mandatory audit of all contracts above $3 million, resulting in over $92 million in revenue savings to DeKalb County taxpayers. She also spearheaded a massive reinvestment in the sewer and water system and a public safety package that makes DeKalb County police officers among the highest paid officers in the Southeast Region.

In her capacity as DeKalb CEO, she serves on the Atlanta Regional Commission board. She also is on the DeKalb Global Sport Advisory Board helping prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Super Bowl and is the visionary founder behind the EMBARC Youth Farm, a $10 million urban farming project.

Christina Porter

Christina Porter is the founder of the Chamblee Coalition on Homelessness, an organization that unites citizens, nonprofits, government agencies and faith-based groups to develop solutions for the unsheltered in DeKalb County. Under her leadership, the coalition launched the Sack Lunch Brigade, which delivered 1,200 lunches weekly to nine shelters across metro Atlanta, including parts of DeKalb County, for three years during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In May 2021, Porter organized the Symposium on Homelessness to raise awareness and create strategies to address the homelessness crisis in North DeKalb. She also led the creation of a Winter Warming Center in partnership with Brookhaven United Methodist Church, providing shelter for unhoused women during cold nights and supporting more than 200 individuals through the effort.

Porter previously served as program director at Childspring International for 10 years, managing transportation and care for medically fragile children from around the world. A longtime advocate for cross-cultural understanding, she has hosted international students in her home, reflecting her commitment to both local and global service.

Aprille Moore

Major Aprille Moore has built her career at the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office around a core belief: investing in people creates lasting change. As Commander of Training, Background and Recruitment, she’s shaped the next generation of law enforcement officers through comprehensive training programs and professional development initiatives. Her commitment to excellence led her to the FBI National Academy in December 2024, where she completed the prestigious 10-week program focused on advancing justice and law enforcement standards.

Moore’s dedication extends far beyond her badge. She channels her passion for youth development through her role as Community Ambassador for youthSpark, working to protect children from sexual exploitation. As a board member of Families First, she advocates for family stability and support systems. Her involvement with organizations like the Alliance Theater and her active membership in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Jack and Jill of America, Inc. reflect her commitment to community building and empowering the next generation.

Recognition has followed her servant leadership approach, including the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 40 Under Forty and the inaugural Women Changing the World Award from Hosea Helps. But for Moore, the real measure of success lies in the lives she’s helped develop and the families she’s supported along the way.

For more information about Commissioner Patrick’s efforts for District 1, please continue to check his website for news here.

Commission Robert Patrick Celebrates Notable Women Leaders

March 8, 2025

While women make their mark in every continent, country, state, city and town every day, District 1 Commissioner Robert Patrick every year recognizes women who move the needle every day in metro Atlanta and DeKalb County, Georgia. 

The Move to ‘Officially’ Celebrate Women’s History Dates to 1909

After decades of lobbying, March became internationally recognized as Women’s History Month. It’s an important time to celebrate the historic strides women are making, and to remember that less than a century ago, women in the United States couldn’t vote and didn’t have many of the same rights afforded to men. And despite having these rights now, women still face obstacles in the workplace, at home and in leadership positions. Celebrating accomplished women leaders is an important way to continue right the historic wrongs suffered by women. 

The move to recognize and celebrate women began in 1909 with the first Women’s History Day in New York City, commemorating the strike of 15,000 women who were garment workers in lower Manhattan. 

Fast forward to 1978, Women’s History Week kicked off in Sonoma County, California, recognizing March 8th as International Women’s Day. Women’s groups tirelessly campaigned for years after that to have Women’s History Week recognized on a larger scale. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter, the former Georgia governor, declared the week of March 8th Women’s History Week, and by 1987, women triumphed by lobbying Congress to officially declare March as Women’s History Month.

Celebration of Women

Commissioner Patrick recently honored the following women who are laying the foundation for the next generation of women in DeKalb County. 

Madame CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson

Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, the new CEO of DeKalb County, took office in January 2025, making history as the first African American woman elected to the role, in which she serves more than 762,000 residents and manages a $1.8 billion budget. 

Before her time as CEO, Cochran-Johnson served as the Super District 7 Commissioner in DeKalb and implemented key ordinances to enhance public safety and community development, including the trend-setting Small Box Store Ordinance that requires mandatory distance requirements to stop the proliferation of Family Dollar, Dollar Tree and Dollar General stores in DeKalb County. Similar ordinances have now been adopted in nine states. She also authored the DeKalb Video Surveillance System Ordinance, requiring mandatory video surveillance at gas and service stations. 

As the District 7 Commissioner, she and the Public Works & Infrastructure Committee successfully allocated over $1.4 billion in revenue. She required a mandatory audit of all contracts above $3 million, resulting in over $92 million in revenue savings to DeKalb County taxpayers. She also spearheaded a massive reinvestment in the sewer and water system and a public safety package that makes DeKalb County police officers among the highest paid officers in the Southeast Region.

In her capacity as DeKalb CEO, she serves on the Atlanta Regional Commission board. She also is on the DeKalb Global Sport Advisory Board helping prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Super Bowl and is the visionary founder behind the EMBARC Youth Farm, a $10 million urban farming project.

Christina Porter

Christina Porter is the founder of the Chamblee Coalition on Homelessness, an organization that unites citizens, nonprofits, government agencies and faith-based groups to develop solutions for the unsheltered in DeKalb County. Under her leadership, the coalition launched the Sack Lunch Brigade, which delivered 1,200 lunches weekly to nine shelters across metro Atlanta, including parts of DeKalb County, for three years during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In May 2021, Porter organized the Symposium on Homelessness to raise awareness and create strategies to address the homelessness crisis in North DeKalb. She also led the creation of a Winter Warming Center in partnership with Brookhaven United Methodist Church, providing shelter for unhoused women during cold nights and supporting more than 200 individuals through the effort.

Porter previously served as program director at Childspring International for 10 years, managing transportation and care for medically fragile children from around the world. A longtime advocate for cross-cultural understanding, she has hosted international students in her home, reflecting her commitment to both local and global service.

Aprille Moore

Major Aprille Moore has built her career at the Fulton County Sheriff's Office around a core belief: investing in people creates lasting change. As Commander of Training, Background and Recruitment, she's shaped the next generation of law enforcement officers through comprehensive training programs and professional development initiatives. Her commitment to excellence led her to the FBI National Academy in December 2024, where she completed the prestigious 10-week program focused on advancing justice and law enforcement standards.

Moore's dedication extends far beyond her badge. She channels her passion for youth development through her role as Community Ambassador for youthSpark, working to protect children from sexual exploitation. As a board member of Families First, she advocates for family stability and support systems. Her involvement with organizations like the Alliance Theater and her active membership in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Jack and Jill of America, Inc. reflect her commitment to community building and empowering the next generation.

Recognition has followed her servant leadership approach, including the Atlanta Business Chronicle's 40 Under Forty and the inaugural Women Changing the World Award from Hosea Helps. But for Moore, the real measure of success lies in the lives she's helped develop and the families she's supported along the way.

For more information about Commissioner Patrick’s efforts for District 1, please continue to check his website for news here.

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