Mrs. Gladys Cook

                  Proclamation
                   Honoring the Extraordinary Legacy of Mrs. Gladys Cook
WHEREAS:      the DeKalb County School District Board of Education proudly recognizes Mrs. Gladys Cook,
              whose 106 years of life have been marked by extraordinary service, leadership, compassion,
              and unwavering dedication to the students, families, educators, and communities of DeKalb
              County; and

WHEREAS:      Mrs. Cook faithfully served the DeKalb County School District for more than three decades
              and worked alongside district leaders including Superintendents Jim Cherry, Robert
              Freeman, and James Hallford, exemplifying professionalism, integrity, and a steadfast
              commitment to educational excellence; and

WHEREAS:      as President of the DeKalb County Council of PTAs from 1960 to 1962, Mrs. Cook
              championed family and community engagement long before it became a strategic priority in
              public education, strengthening the partnership between schools, families, and the broader
              community in support of student success; and

WHEREAS:   Mrs. Cook’s vision and commitment to future generations led to the creation of the Gladys
           Cook Scholarship, which began as a single $200 award for a graduating senior pursuing a
           career in education and has since provided thousands of dollars in scholarships to hundreds
           of students, leaving a lasting legacy of opportunity, service, and educational advancement;
           and
THEREFORE: BE IT PROCLAIMED, that the DeKalb County Board of Education, together with
           the Superintendent of the DeKalb County School District, hereby honors and
           celebrates Mrs. Gladys Cook for her extraordinary lifetime of service, visionary leadership,
           enduring commitment to education, and immeasurable contributions to the children,
           families, and communities of DeKalb County, and expresses its deepest gratitude for a legacy
           that will continue to inspire generations to come.