Mayor, pastor in spotlight at Democratic Convention

Two metro Atlantans played visible roles at the convention Tuesday. Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin was chairwoman for the day, beginning and ending the proceedings on the floor. And the Rev. Cynthia Hale of Decatur delivered the day’s invocation.

Hale, founding pastor of Ray of Hope Christian Church, was contacted 18 months ago by the Obama campaign and has served on a committee advising him on faith issues.

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Rick McKay/Cox Washington Bureau

Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin officially opened and closed the Democratic Party National Convention in Denver on Tuesday.

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“I was elated,” she said of her invitation.

Franklin, for her part, spoke at a National Equality Day luncheon where she said today’s anniversary of women gaining the right to vote should be a launching pad to working for equality around the world.

National Equality Day exists because of another Georgian, former President Jimmy Carter, who signed an executive order creating it while president. This is the 31st anniversary of that proclamation and 88th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote.