FIRST, I GIVE THANKS AND HONOR TO GOD WHO IS THE LEADER OF MY LIFE;

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE WHO HAS SUPPORTED ME DURING MY OVER 30 YEARS OF PUBLIC SERVICE, DURING MY 20 YEARS AS A BOOTS ON THE GROUND FOOT SOLDIER, DURING THE FOUR YEARS I SERVED THE ATLANTA CITY COUNCIL (CITYWIDE) AND THE 24 YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE GEORGIA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

I'M HERE TO GIVE IT TO YOU STRAIGHT!

SOME YEARS AGO, I WAS BLESSED TO HAVE A HOUSE REBUILT FROM THE STUDS TO THE SOLAR ROOF BY THE BROTHERHOOD WHICH INCLUDES NEIGHBOR AND BUSINESSMAN CLIFF PALMER, MICHAEL STERLING, ESQ. AND BUSINESSMAN RANDY HAZELTON.

GUYS, I CAN NEVER THANK YOU ENOUGH!

AS I COMFORTABLY SETTLE INTO THE HOME THAT'S BEEN SPECIALY EQUIPPED WITH WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBILITY AND STATE OF THE ART AMENITIES SUCH AS DOORS, BATHROOM, WINDOWS AND A BEAUTIFUL RAMP IN THE FRONT I REFLECT ON MY LIFE, TO DATE. THIS IS THE HOME I'VE LIVED IN SINCE BIRTH.

NONETHELESS, THERE ARE THREE CHALLENGES I CURRENTLY HAVE:

1) HEALING AND RECOVERY;

2) TRANSPORTATION TO GET TO AND FROM APPOINTMENTS; AND

3) 24-HOUR AROUND THE CLOCK CARE.

TO THAT END, I MAKE THIS APPEAL :

I NEED 2 PROFESSIONAL HOME HEALTH AIDES THAT WILL TREAT ME WITH THE DIGNITY AND RESPECT I DESERVE WHO ARE PATIENT AND KIND AND WILL ALLOW A HEALING ATMOSPHERE IN MY HOME.

MY GOAL IS TO RAISE $22,000+ - THERE IS NO GIFT OF LOVE TOO LARGE OR TOO SMALL!

THESE ARE THE FACTS:

I HAVE BEEN EMBARRASSED TO ASK FOR HELP. HOWEVER, IF YOU GOOGLE MY PUBLIC SERVICE RECORD, YOU WILL SEE THAT I HAVE FOUGHT FOR MANY AND WORKED HARD TO HELP ALL WHO ASKED. I HAVE BEEN A CHAMPION FOR GEORGIA, METRO ATLANTA, MY BELOVED ENGLISH AVENUE (DA BLUFF) AND VINE CITY.

AT THE AGE OF 36, I CONVENED THE 12 MOTHERS OF THE REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE MOVEMENT IN AMERICA COINING THE TERM "REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE, " WHICH HAD NOT BEEN SPOKEN UNTIL THAT DAY.

MS. FOUNDATION SPONSORED THE CONFERENCE, JULY 1994 IN CHICAGO. CYNTHIA NEWBILLE AND I WERE REPRESENTING THE NATIONAL BLACK WOMEN'S HEALTH PROJECT, ALONG WITH FOUNDER BYLLYE AVERY.

SOME OF MY LEGESLATIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE:

• I AM THE AUTHOR OF THE FIRST BILL IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA TO MANDATE THAT INSURANCE COMAPANIES PAY FOR MAMOGRAMS, PAPSMEARS, AND PROSTATE CANCER SCREENING TESTS.
• I, ALONG WITH MY COLLEAGUES, LEVERAGED $60 MILLION IN THE GEORGIA STATE BUDGET THAT EXPANDED MEDICAID FOR POST-PARTUM CARE TO WOMEN FROM TWO MONTHS TO ONE YEAR - LITERALLY SAVING LIVES AND FAMILIES. FACT: BLACK WOMEN DIE 3 TO 4 TIMES MORE THAN WHITE WOMEN DURING CHILD BIRTH.

REPRESENTATIVES RENITTA SHANNON, PARK CANNON, CAROLYN HUGHLEY AND I LED THE FIGHT IN THE HOUSE; IN THE SENATE, SENATORS GLORIA BUTLER, VALENCIA SEAY, AND DONZELLA JAMES LED THE CHARGE; AND ALL THE WOMEN IN THE GEORGIA LEGISLATIVE BLACK CAUCUS JOINED IN.

MY COMMUNITY SERVICE WORK INCLUDES:

• PROVIDING BOOKBAGS WITH SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR THE YOUTH AND BACKPACKS WITH ESSENTIALS FOR THE UNHOUSED.
• SPONSORED 26 YEARS OF CHRISTMAS PARTIES AT THE SALVATION ARMY, BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB FOR AT-RISK AND UNDERSERVED CHILDREN, YOUTH AND INDIVIDUALS.

IN THE WORDS OF THE HONORABLE CORETTA SCOTT KING, "STRUGGLE IS A NEVER-ENDING PROCESS. FREEDOM IS NEVER REALLY WON, YOU EARN IT AND WIN IT IN EVERY GENERATION."

IN THIS PERSONAL STRUGGLE, I HAVE RECIVED PHONE CALLS FROM MANY ASKING, "WHAT CAN I DO?" AND "HOW CAN I HELP?"

IN CLOSING, MY FINAL REQUEST IS FOR YOU TO CONTRIBUTE TO MY SUSTAINABLILITY. NO AMOUNT OF LOVE IS TOO LARGE OR TOO SMALL!

PEACE AND LOVE,

I AM . . . ABLE MABLE THOMAS ...