| At a gala reception March 14, 2013, at the State Bar of Georgia Building, the Champions of Justice were honored for their service in making justice accessible to low income Georgians. Look below the story for pictures of the event. (Photos by Don Morgan Photography & Video) | |
 Honoree Elizabeth "Betsy" Neely, a co-founder of GLSP. Champion of Justice Elizabeth “Betsy” Neely, Esq., said her help creating Georgia Legal Services Program is “one of the proudest associations of my Life. I’m so proud of what this program has done.” Her sentiments summed up the atmosphere at the March 14, 2013, Champions of Justice event, at which men and women who have worked decades to bring access to justice to thousands of low income Georgians were honored for their service. Neely, who was one of the co-founders of GLSP when she served on the Younger Lawyers Section Committee of the state Bar in the 1970s, helped establish the Georgia Indigents Legal Services and served as board secretary for several years. Along with honorees J. Ben Shapiro, Jr., Esq., Emory Law School Associate Dean A. James Elliott, R. William Ide, III, Esq., and Thomas E. Dennard, Jr., Esq., Neely studied the need for civil counsel for low-income Georgians before approaching the state Bar with the idea of setting up a legal aid organization to serve the small towns and rural areas of the state outside Metro Atlanta. “When all is said and done, it’s what really makes a difference,” said Ide of his service to GLSP. “We are lawyers, and that is what we are here to do is serve others.”  Thomas E. Dennard, Jr. Esq., co-founder of GLSP
The young lawyers who began GLSP had an uphill climb to make it happen, said Dennard, now an attorney in Brunswick. “We did not have a lot of support. A lot of people, even the Bar, did not support this back then. But my grandmother told me, ‘You do what you are supposed to do.’ So we kept on. “It is so reassuring to see that 750,000 clients have been served in the 42 years GLSP has been around. What a wonderful tribute that is.” Cora Johnson of Soperton has worked with GLSP’s indigent clients on social justice issues for 35 years. “I could have left Soperton,” she said, “but I wanted to make a difference where I live.” Now 87, Ms. Johnson is still working with GLSP and came to the event despite having broken her hip earlier in the year. “I’m out here now and can’t nobody stop me,” she said.  Honoree Cora Johnson In opening remarks, GLSP Executive Director Phyllis Holmen said Ms. Johnson had said to her before the event, “You have to praise the bridge that brought you.” That is the idea behind honoring the Champions, Holmen said. “These people have gone before us and built the bridge that brought us.” Honoree Lillie Winn of Walthourville died in February before she could accept her award, but her sister and her granddaughter accepted it for her. “If she had lived,” said Twanda Walthour, Ms. Winn’s granddaughter, “she would have been here. You couldn’t have stopped her. GLSP was HER thing. And I’m going to do like she did. I’m going to keep on.” Photos of the Champions of Justice Honors Ceremony |
- Hon. Hardy Gregory, Burke Sherwood, Elizabeth Neely, William Ide, Ben Shapiro, James Elliott, Thomas Dennard, Cora Johnson, Rosie Walthour, Phyllis Holmen.
Honoree R. William Ide, III, Esq., co-founder of GLSP.
GLSP Board President Burke Sherwood, Honoree Cora Johnson, GLSP Executive Director Phyllis Holmen, Hon. Hardy Gregory.
Honoree Ben Shapiro, co-founder of GLSP, with Phyllis Holmen.
Honoree James Elliot, Associate Dean of Emory Law School and co-founder of GLSP.
Twanda Walthour, grand daughter of Honoree Lillie M. Winn, and Mrs. Winn's sister Rosie Walthour.
GLSP Board Member Wanda Collier with Board Chairman Burke Sherwood.
- GLSP Board Member Michael Geoffroy gave closing remarks.
Hon. Hardy Gregor, former Georgia Supreme Court Justice, presented the awards. He is with Phyllis Holmen.
More pictures of the festivities!
