History of the Committee |
In 1972, Mayor Sam Massell began promoting Atlanta’s push towards international city status by initiating the city’s participation in the Sister City Program. A Board of Alderman’s resolution extended an invitation to the City of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to become a sister city to Atlanta. Mayor Massell stated that Rio de Janeiro was selected because of a specific request from then Governor Jimmy Carter following a tour of South America. Carter’s effort evolved from an agreement with Erasmo Martins Pedro, Vice Governor of the former state of Guanabara in which Rio de Janeiro was located, that the two cities were very much alike in their international recognition and beauty.
Mrs. Sharan Flexner, the first Chairperson (1979 - 1996), has played the leading role in organizing this growing partnership. Her own link to Brazil began in 1976 when she visited the country with a group led by former President Carter. Mrs. Flexner fell in love with the land and people and on her return to the U.S., she became involved with Atlanta’s Brazilian community. In 1977, Mayor Maynard Jackson renewed the effort to develop a relationship between Atlanta and Rio by asking Sharan to chair the new Atlanta - Rio de Janeiro Sister Cities Committee being formed. Sharan readily accepted and worked tirelessly to build the committee into one of the most active sister city groups making up the Atlanta Sister City Commission.
However, due to lack of support and the closing of the Brazilian Consulate in Atlanta, the committee fell dormant for twelve years. Mayor Maynard Jackson revived the committee in 1992 and again tapped Mrs. Flexner to serve as Chairperson. In 1993, Mrs. Flexner started a new and improved committee that in a short time achieved a solid record of accomplishment.
A dedicated core group and effective networking with other organizations interested in Rio de Janeiro or Brazil established the strong foundation. For the Olympics, co-hosted with the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce Rio Mayor Cesar Maia’s visit to promote the Brazil 2004 Olympic Movement.
In 2004 Wilma Kruger was elected as the new chair of the Atlanta-Rio de Janeiro Sister Cities Committee, being the first Brazilian to occupy this position.