Marietta council member named Woman of the Year by Cobb nonprofit

Marietta City Councilwoman Michelle Cooper Kelly (far right) was named the 2020 Woman of the Year by liveSAFE Resources. Councilman Johnny Walker, (left) Mayor Steve "Thunder" Tumlin and Kim Gresh look on.

Credit: City of Marietta

Credit: City of Marietta

Marietta City Councilwoman Michelle Cooper Kelly (far right) was named the 2020 Woman of the Year by liveSAFE Resources. Councilman Johnny Walker, (left) Mayor Steve "Thunder" Tumlin and Kim Gresh look on.

Marietta City Councilwoman Michelle Cooper Kelly has been named liveSAFE Resources 2020 Woman of the Year.

LiveSAFE Resources provides services and resources to people affected by domestic violence, sexual assault and elder abuse. Kelly, who was first elected to the City Council in November 2013, was recognized for her service to others in the community.

Kelly was surprised by the award at Wednesday night’s council meeting, saying, “This is not how I expected tonight to go.”

Kelly was chosen from among 15 honorees inducted into the Academy of Women Leaders, which honors women who have demonstrated leadership in their careers and communities.

In July, Kelly was sworn in as elected third vice president of the Georgia Municipal Association, a non-profit organization that provides educational and consulting services and legislative advocacy to its more than 500 member cities, according to its website.

Kelly is chair of the city’s Parks, Recreation and Tourism Committee and is a member of the Finance and Public Works committees. Kelly also serves on the boards for WellStar Kennestone Hospital, Cobb Travel & Tourism, Cobb Community Foundation and Marietta High School’s governance team.

Kelly is the senior resident manager of environmental health and safety at Anheuser-Bush, LLC. She has over 25 years of experience in ensuring workplace safety and environmental sustainability. She and her husband, William, have three children: Trey, Lauren and Brooke.

Also at Wednesday’s meeting, the council recognized Kim Gresh for being named the Cobb Chamber of Commerce’s 2020 Woman of Distinction.

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