Community Advocate Monica Delancy announces run for State House saying: “We can’t change for the better without challenging the present”
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Last week, Monica Evette DeLancy, known among many throughout Cobb County and the State of Georgia as the voice for Renters in the South Cobb Community, announced her candidacy for State Representative for House District 39.
In her official announcement, Monica stated:
“After much thought, prayer, and consideration, I have decided to embrace the support, suggestions, and encouragement from my colleagues and my community to seriously enter the race for a seat in House District 39 as State Representative. The many voices of 30-40% in our community and in our district have gone too long not being heard. We can’t continue, we must be heard, and the time to act is NOW. House District 39 deserves to have someone who is willing to challenge the norm, be a voice and change the reality of steady evictions and the continuous increase of families being displaced. I am that someone, and I’ve been ready to serve from day one.”
Monica is no stranger to the legislative process. In 2019, she was instrumental in helping to pass House Bill 346 which prohibited retaliation by landlords. Many tenants who reported maintenance issues and/or other wrongs by landlords were being denied lease renewals or had their leases terminated by the property owners. This new law was established to protect those reporting on these issues.
Monica has also been an active advocate of the community. She has spent many days attending meetings and hearings at the State Capitol and actively participating with the Georgia Association of Educators, Parent Teacher Association, and the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities. In addition, she is a fixture at meetings and hearings in the Cobb County Courts, over the years, being a voice for those facing eviction and other disparities.
Monica said, “As we look at the housing crisis, the increase of rental cost, imposed evictions, evictions due to loss of income, non-approval of rental leases and all the many unanswered questions about evictions, we have to stop and look at our legislature which points in the direction of the State Capitol. To get things done, it’s plain and simple, the State Capitol is where our focus needs to be.”
As her connections to the community are deeply rooted, over the next couple of months Monica plans to meet with business and community leaders that she has worked with over the past 16 years and others within District 39 to establish a solid winning campaign as she puts the people first.
Monica said, “This is a critical time for us and our District. Our communities are assuredly changing. I want to ensure that it’s for the better. Our community is full of potential and can become the thriving community it is meant to be. My campaign will be focusing primarily on the following initiatives:
· Housing reform
· Health and Wellness
· Education Empowerment
When one community rises to the top, we all will rise up. I want to make sure we are not just surviving these changes, but that we are thriving as the changes occur.”
Biographical Background
Monica is employed with the Cobb County School District as a Parent Resource Specialist. She has been vocal about the rising cost of rent and its burden on single-income households including both men and women with children along with senior citizens. Monica has earned 21 awards within her 16 years of residing in Austell, Georgia.
In 2020, she received the Omega Psi Phi Community Advocate of the Year Award. In 2019, she received the Cobb County Women’s Democratic Committee Advocate of the Year Award.
In 2018, she was recognized as the Cobb County Branch, NAACP MLK Living the Dream honoree, Keep Cobb Beautiful Community Improvement Award, and Cobb Collaborative Volunteer of the Year honoree. In 2012, she received the Georgia Parent Teacher Association Lifetime Achievement Award.
Monica serves as the volunteer Executive Director of the “We Thrive on Riverside Renters Association” which she founded in 2009. The organization provides resources and workshops to empower renters to be leaders.
In 2021, We Thrive in Riverside Renters Association received the Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation Grant. Delancy and her work has been featured on CNN, USA Today News, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Marietta Daily Journal, and the New York Times.
Monica is an active member of civic organizations including the Cobb County NAACP, Austell Community Taskforce, Powder Springs Community Taskforce, and the Mableton Improvement Coalition. She serves on the Cobb County Police Department’s discussion group committee for Precinct 2.
Monica is a graduate of Dillard University, in Louisiana, with a degree in biology. Her personal journey includes raising 2 children Brianne (21) and Ernest (19), overcoming challenges of single parenthood, and advocating for renters, families, and homeowners. Her journey is a testimony that has many chapters which have prepared her to be the leader that’s needed to lead the emerging majority.
Monica resides in the Riverside Community of Austell, Georgia. She is a lifelong member of St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church and enjoys worshiping at other local churches.
Achievements and Awards
Monica has been acknowledged throughout Cobb County and nationally for her community involvement and advocacy. Within the 16 years of her Cobb County residency, Monica has received 21 awards/acknowledgments including the following:
2010 – Austell Community Taskforce Volunteer of the Year
2011 – Riverside Intermediate School Parent Volunteer
2012 – Lindley 6th Grade Parent Volunteer
2012 – Georgia PTA Lifetime Achievement Award
2013 – Boy Scouts Community Leadership Award
2013 – Georgia PTA Urban Community Leader Award
2014 – Cobb County Police Department Commendation
2014 – South Cobb Business Association Citizenship Award
2014 – Creatin Community nominee
2014 – Safe Place Atlanta-Mother of the Year
2015 – Georgia Community Coalition Honoree
2016 – Cobb County Proclamation
2017 – Mableton Day Community Spirit Winner
2017 – Neighbor Works Metro Atlanta Resident Leader
2018 – Community Foundation Grant Winner
2018 – Cobb County NAACP MLK Living the Dream Award
2018 – Cobb Collaborative Humanitarian of the Year Award
2018 – Keep Cobb Beautiful Most Improved Community Award
2019 – Cobb County Women’s Democratic League
2020 – Omega Psi Phi Community Advocate of the Year Award
2021 – Oprah Winfrey’s Charitable Foundation Grant Awardee
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