Airport Workers: Two employees receive $500 gifts for greeting travelers

Two janitors at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport received $500 gifts from their employer, Unifi, on Thursday. The recognition followed a social media post that drew attention to their practice of greeting female travelers with compliments and encouragement while cleaning restrooms.

Alencia Edwards works in the women's restroom where she announces, 'Welcome to the happy restroom!' She tells women they are beautiful and important. Edwards said she often sees women enter with angry expressions and leave smiling. She described the change in mood as 'like magic.'

The practice gained wider attention after traveler Tovah Jacobson heard Edwards speaking affirmations. Jacobson stopped to thank Edwards and took a photograph. She later shared the story on Facebook, calling Edwards her hero. The post prompted other travelers to share similar experiences at the airport.

Edwards works long shifts while raising her daughter. She plans to attend college and become an ultrasound technician. Her coworker, Tia Freeman, also works for Unifi. Freeman said she was hired on the same day she applied, even after the application period had closed. She focuses on making personal connections with the people she meets.

"I just love people," Freeman said. She added that employees do not know what others are going through. Unifi, which employs approximately 45,000 people, cites Passion, integrity, and empathy as core values. A company executive stated that Edwards and Freeman embody those values.

Unifi's CEO noted that technology is a large part of life but said relationships are not built with AI. He emphasized the impact of human connection. "The power of each one of us individually, the power of you and me, can change lives," the CEO said. He added that a smile could save lives.

Company representatives presented the $500 gifts to Edwards and Freeman on Thursday. Freeman gasped when she opened her gift. Edwards said she appreciated the recognition and thanked the company. She said, 'It’s only up from here.' Both women work at the airport, which handles nearly 100 million passengers annually.