AMERICAN ATHEISTS To members and Supporters of AMERICAN ATHEISTS… Dear friends, I want to take this opportunity to tell you about some of the important changes now taking place at American Atheists. Following over 13 years of outstanding service to American Atheists and the cause of State-Church Separation, Ellen Johnson is no longer President of the organization.. Her tenure in this position was marked by some of the most amazing and historic events in our movement’s history. She stepped in following the tragic disappearance of our founder, Madalyn Murray O’Hair and her family, and oversaw the relocation of the American Atheist Center and Charles E. Stevens American Atheist Library and Archives (CESAALA) to New Jersey. She organized the Godless Americans March on Washington, and brought together our nation’s diverse and sometimes fractious community of Atheists, Freethinkers, Secular Humanists and other nonbelievers. She testified twice before the National Commission on Civil Rights, and made hundreds of media appearances on prime time and cable news TV programs. Ellen also mobilized Atheists and other secularists throughout the nation to speak out on the vital First Amendment issues of our time. And with all of this, she managed to coordinate the hectic daily activities here at the American Atheist Center. In the spirit of obtaining all that she (and any other Atheist) can from one life the elegant, energetic and outspoken Ms. Johnson will now focus her passions on anew adventure. Just what that might be we do not yet know. We know, however, that it will be something splendid! Ellen, who will remain on the Board of Directors, is succeeded by long-time member Frank Zindler. There have been three presidents of American Atheists since its founding over four decades ago — Madalyn Murray O’Hair; her successor and son, Jon Garth Murray; and since 1995, Ellen Johnson. They left, as the saying goes “big shoes to fill.” We are confident that Frank is fully prepared for this new challenging role. He has a distinguished academic career as a former biology professor, linguist and bible-era historian. He has authored numerous books and articles dealing with a wide range of subjects, everything from the alleged historicity of Jesus to the on-going controversy over teaching creationism in our public schools. His tenure as an activist with American Atheists goes back over 30 years. Frank is a nationally-recognized speaker and debater, and has served as an eloquent spokesperson for our organization. Frank Zindler will serve as President Pro Temp until a suitable replacement for this office is found. The day-to-day operations at the American Atheist Center will continue — and so will our activism! Other Officers and Directors will be staying on as well. Dave Silverman, who has done an outstanding job as our Communications Director, will continue to be the “public face” of American Atheists, working closely with Frank to make sure that our message gets out to the media and others who shape public opinion. Board member Edwin Kagin will remain in his important post as National Legal Director, The American Atheist magazine and all of the other benefits of membership will continue. And so will our efforts to represent you in the important fight for state-church separation, Reason and the civil rights of Atheists. We’re hitting the ground running, folks! The baton is passed — and we’ll continue our all-important work. Thanking you in advance for your support! The Board of Directors, AMERICAN ATHEISTS
Ellen Johnson has been a great president and will be missed.
I’m happy that she will remain on the board of directors.
Thank you Ellen for your service. Good luck in whatever you choose to to do now. I’m glad you will remain on the Board of Directors.
I’m sure Frank will make an excellent President Pro Temp. Thank you Frank, for stepping in. I think Frank, if willing, would be a good candidate for the permanent position. But I would be interested to know who else the board might be considering. I don’t suppose we will be privy to that info?
Thank you Ellen, Frank and Dave!
thanks Ellen glad to see you stay on the board,glad to see Dave will remain at post.Frank is a good choice.looks like a strong team is moving forward.
I’m sorry to see Ellen Johnson step down, but of course glad she’s staying on the board. As I read down the announcement I wondered who would step in, and I was pleased to see Frank Zindler’s name. I have the same confidence in Mr. Zindler that I had in Ms. Johnson.
Thanks to both of you for your past and future service!
Thank you Ellen Johnson, Frank Zindler, and Dave Silverman.
Thanks very much, Ellen, for your efforts on behalf of atheists everywhere. And good luck, Frank – I hope that you are successful in your search, and also in your leadership during the interim while you search for a new prez.
Good luck to all, and thanks for your service!
My thanks to Ellen Johnson for her past service. I would respectfully suggest that it is a good thing for any organization to have a change of leadership on a very regular basis in order to bring in new ideas and different perspectives.
I am not suggesting at all that this is the case with American Atheists, because I really don’t know anything about the inner workings…but…an organization, especially a membership type organization, that is led by “big shoes” can have the tendency to get off track or swayed too much by whoever is in those oversized zapatas. Just my two cents.
Thanks Ellen. I think that you were an excellent president.
This announcement was a bit of a shock to me. Could Dave elaborate?
Thank you for your service, Ellen! You did a very admirable job.
I was fortunate enough to be amongst about 10 other people to enjoy a dinner/meeting with her, one beautiful June evening. She was very gracious, intelligent, and everything you’d expect her to be. After I met her, I was reassured knowing she was at the helm of AA.
Personally, I think Frank will do a great job, trying to fill those ‘shoes’.
What,
I’m not a board member, and so I have little knowledge as to “what happened”. All I know is that it DID happen, we’re all still friends, and Ellen remains on our board.
I also know Frank has some pretty big shoes to fill until we bring in Ellen’s permanent replacement — but Frank has pretty big feet!
Dave
Thanks. Please keep us posted if you get any reliable info about what happened.
OT
Americans are more willing to make sacrifices to stop the occupation than they are willing to make sacrifices to continue it.
Sorry to see Ellen go, but I’m sure Frank will do a good job.
Good luck in the future, Ellen. We certainly don’t see eye to eye on everything, but I think you did some very important work for AA.
I’m also excited about Frank. I’ve always enjoyed his articles.
Wow Dave…kind of modest…eh?
Comment from: What
Union workers taking a day off? And you’re impressed?
And you wonder why the NAFTA super highway is being forced upon us…
Doing the Freedom Walk is definitely a great way to end over thirteen years of service as president.
I was considering going to the ’08 convention, but ultimately couldn’t go. I would have liked to hear Ellen speak. Hopefully she’ll speak at the ’09 convention.
I’m new to the community, but as a marketing type, this is an awful announcement. The focus should be on the organization and the future with a polite note about the past. I’m sure Ellen did excellent work, but this release is a bit like Bill stumping for Hillary. It should be about where we’re going, not where we’ve been.
Is Mr. Zindler not a candidate to be Ms. Johnson’s permanent replacement?
vinny:
I disagree. Ellen was an excellent president and was in that position for a long time, so it’s perfectly appropriate to give an overview of her history with American Atheists.
I cast my vote for Dave Silverman to take over as the new official president. He would certainly be missed in his communications role, but he is EXCELLENT in that regard, (as well as obviously devoted to the atheist cause), and strong communication skills are a key (the key?) requirement to lead this organization, IMHO.
What do you think?
I’m glad to see Frank Zindler president pro temp and sorry to see Ellen Johnson go. Glad to know Ellen Johnson will still be on the Board of Directors. My thanks to Ellen Johnson and best wishes to Frank Zindler.
deleted
OT Alert
Everyday. As I have said here before John “Keating Five” McCain’s price for supporting the invasion of Iraq was the GOP nomination in 2008.
Whoopsy
davidmabus:
wtf are you talking about???
If I am not mistaken, you are very sick. Get some help.
Davidmabus is spamming the world with that crap. It has absolutely no value.
I hope the true story of Ellen’s departure is forthcoming.
She was capable in ways I can’t imagine any other Atheist individual could be in the position of President of American Atheists.
She is attractive, very bright, quick witted, pleasant, attractive, very intelligent, very well spoken, impeccably credentialed, caring, with a great sense of humor, attractive, dedicated and I can’t imagine a more perfect fit for the job. And, did I mention attractive ?
Is the Board required to release a statement as to the reason(s) for their action ? Anyone know ?
Comment from: dhappleby [Member]
I cast my vote for Dave Silverman to take over as the new official president. He would certainly be missed in his communications role, but he is EXCELLENT in that regard, (as well as obviously devoted to the atheist cause), and strong communication skills are a key (the key?) requirement to lead this organization, IMHO.
I second the nomination. Dave would make an excellent president.
(don’t kill me, Dave)
Ellen Johnson is one in a million. I was proud to be an American Atheist with her representing us in the media. She is smart, beautiful, well-spoken, quick on the uptake, stylish, empathic,and extremely intelligent. She is the image I want for women Atheists everywhere. Why can’t she stay on as spokeswoman for AA?