| Senator Sonya Halpern, a Democrat representing the 39th Senate District in Fulton County, Georgia, was elected to the Georgia State Senate in 2020. Sen. Halpern is a passionate leader blending business and political acumen with a heart for community. She has embraced leadership roles when she was elected Vice Chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus. In addition, she serves as Chair of the Fulton County Senate Delegation. As a strong advocate for public education, Sen. Halpern has been instrumental in championing initiatives to enhance the educational and economic landscape in Georgia. Her role as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Urban Affairs, Chair of the Senate Study Committee on HBCU's and her active involvement in the Education and Youth Committee underscore her dedication to shaping policies that foster educational excellence and equity. Furthermore, her memberships in other key committees - Appropriations, Banking and Financial Institutions, and Health and Human Services - allow her to demonstrate a comprehensive approach to legislative work. As an Ex-Officio member of the Public Safety Committee, Sen. Halpern also contributes to critical discussions on safety and security, ensuring a well-rounded focus in her legislative efforts. Further, Sen. Halpern prides herself on being a business-owner and continually advocates for small and family-owned businesses. Sen. Halpern also co-chairs the General Assembly Working Group on Addiction and Recovery and the Georgia-Israel Legislative Caucus. She is an active member of various influential caucuses, such as the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus, Women's Legislative Caucus and Working Families Caucus. These roles reflect her broad ability to address key societal challenges while advocating for underrepresented groups. Sen. Halpern's engagement with the community extends beyond politics. Her involvement with the Andrew J. Young Foundation and the YMCA of Metro Atlanta highlights her rooted passion for civic responsibility. Her academic credentials, including a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Massachusetts and an MBA from the University of Hartford, complement her professional background in communications, advertising, and marketing. In 2019, Sen. Halpern founded Whiskey in a Teacup. This cultural consultancy and communications firm reflects her commitment to the arts and her ability to harness strategic communications to promote cultural and community engagement. Sen. Halpern's achievements and recognition includes being named YMCA's Volunteer of the Year, a "Woman of Achievement" by the YWCA of Greater Atlanta and being featured on the "Top 100 Black Women of Influence" list by the Atlanta Business League. Her accolades also include the "Nikki T Randall Servant Leadership Award" from the Georgia Legislative Women's Caucus and the "Sandra Anderson Bacchus Legacy Award" from the National Black Arts Festival. Sen. Halpern resides in Atlanta with her husband and their three children. |