Griffin Speaks
A TRIBUTE TO KATHY SAWYER
On
Thursday, January 27, 2005 a reception was held for retiring Mental Health
Commissioner, Kathy Sawyer. Attending the lavish affair was everyone that
was anyone, approximately 500 people. Governor Bob Riley with what appeared
to be tears in his eyes gave a moving tribute to his retiring Mental Health
Commissioner. Inside sources told me that the Governor was not happy that
she decided to retire. In fact someone close to the Governor told me that he
suggested that she take a month off and think about her decision.
Kathy
Sawyer is by anyone’s standards a superb human being. She is well
respected by everyone. I place her among the great women of the world: Oprah
Winfrey, Sojourner Truth, Mary McCleod Bethune and Mother Teresa.
She
was held over from Governor Don Siegelman’s administration because of the
universal praise her job performance received from Democrats, Republicans
and Independents alike.
During
Kathy’s watch the long running Wyatt case. The longest running mental
health lawsuit in the nation was settled. Before she was appointed
Commissioner in January of 1999, Kathy served for 14 years as Director of
the agency’s Office of Internal Advocacy. In that office she was
responsible for making certain that the rights of persons served by the
agency were protected.
She
has received so many awards throughout her career I do not have the space to
list them. She holds both an undergraduate degree and a Master of Social
Work degree from the
When
I arrived at her reception the receiving line was so long I did not get an
opportunity to speak with her personally. I caught her eye and expressed my
congratulations. She responded with her trademark mega watt smile.
Recently,
Commissioner Sawyer hired one of my Morehouse classmates, Otha Dilihay as
one of her Associate Commissioners. He thinks she is the greatest thing
since slice bread. I believe he thinks she hung the sun and the moon.
Several
years ago I participated in a wedding of a mutual friend. I served as a
groomsman and Kathy served as a bridesmaid. My relationship with this great
woman has always been that of an acquaintance, but my admiration for her has
always been that of a DIRE
HEART FAN!
Congratulations
Kathy! You deserve the best!
Greg
Griffin is a free lance writer. You can read his previous articles by
visiting his web page at www.greggriffin.com
