The Junior League of Atlanta, Inc. announced that Dr. Meria Joel Carstarphen was made an honorary member of the 102-year-old women’s membership organization. Dr. Carstarphen, who currently serves as the Superintendent of Atlanta Public Schools has demonstrated a strong commitment and contribution to the mission of the Junior League.

“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Carstarphen into the Junior League of Atlanta and honored to list her name along with our more than 3,000 committed members. Her transformational leadership in the field of education played a major role in our unanimous decision to offer her honorary membership,” said JLA President Carla C. Smith. “Like the women of the JLA, Dr Carstarphen is dedicated to improving the lives of women and children across Atlanta.”

A well-known and influential figure in the Atlanta community, Dr. Carstarphen brings nearly 20 years of education expertise in diverse, major metropolitan urban school districts. She now leads a district with 50,000 students, 6,300 employees and 98 learning sites and oversees the system’s $1 billion annual budget.

“It is an incredible honor to join an organization full of strong, determined women that support education in our city. A quality education is the cornerstone of our democracy,” said Dr. Carstarphen. “I could not be more impressed by the women I have worked with in the Junior League of Atlanta. I am excited to continue working with them to improve the outcomes for children in our communities.”

Dr. Carstarphen is no stranger to the JLA or its mission. She has spoken at numerous events, including the 2018 Women’s Leadership Forum and a recent league-wide General Membership Meeting that brought metro-area school superintendents together to talk about the state of education. Dr. Carstarphen is an advocate for more women in leadership roles and calls on them to push the envelope and take a seat at the table.