Citizen of the Week: Renea Carl

Congratulations to Citizen of the Week: Renea Carl!

Renea Carl has spent more than a decade building something extraordinary: an online space where women can rally together to solve problems, build friendships, and lift one another up. She’s the founder of Chatty Newnan Women, a private Facebook group with over 42,000 members and a powerful sense of community at its core.

The idea first came to Carl in 2011, inspired by a similar group she started while her family was stationed at Fort Irwin, California. When she moved to Newnan in 2006, she saw a gap in how women connected with one another for information, support, and local resources—and decided to change that.

What started as a small group has grown into one of Coweta County’s most impactful platforms for connection and kindness.

“One of the things I am most proud of with Chatty is that it was born out of one of the most difficult times in my life. What started as a community page grew into a full business, and along the way, I’ve had the privilege of watching so many small businesses get their start, grow, and succeed. Knowing that Chatty has played a part in helping them gain exposure and thrive is one of my greatest joys,” Carl said.

“I remember when we hit 100 members,” Carl said. “We’d host little cookie exchanges at Christmas. Now, if someone in the community has a need, women band together and make sure it’s taken care of—sometimes within minutes.”

From organizing Christmas donations for families to securing a heat pump for a local man during record-breaking cold, Carl has watched Chatty members step up time and again. One man was so moved by the help he received, he’s writing a song about the group.

Through it all, Carl has remained a steady presence behind the scenes. She raised two daughters, both college graduates, and now has grandchildren—including a new one on the way. She lost her husband, a retired Army veteran and Coweta law enforcement officer, to a sudden heart attack in 2021—but continued her community work even in the midst of grief.

“I’ve met some of the greatest people through Chatty,” she said. “They’re not just friends—they’re family.”

Carl encourages others to do the same: “Get out and meet people. Volunteer. Be kind. None of us are promised tomorrow, so try to put your best self forward.”

Do you know a Citizen like Renea? We’d love for you to nominate them for a future Citizen of the Week.

Anyone in Fayette or Coweta County can nominate a local resident to be featured. Submissions must include between 100 and 500 words explaining why your nominee deserves the spotlight and a photo of them. (Submissions without a photo cannot be accepted.) Fill out the nomination form here:

👉 https://thecitizen.com/nominate-a-citizen-of-the-week/

Each week, one honoree is celebrated in The Citizen, giving us all a chance to recognize the people who enrich our community with their character and care.

The Citizen of the Week is proudly sponsored by City of Hope® Cancer Center Atlanta, a national leader in cancer research and treatment. With expertise across all cancer types and a commitment to whole-person care, City of Hope honors those who strengthen our communities through service, compassion, and resilience.

Learn more at https://cityofhope.org/atlanta.