Unifi Rewards Two Atlanta Airport Cleaners for Viral Kindness

Unifi, an aviation services company with approximately 45,000 employees, presented Alencia Edwards and Tia Freeman with $500 gifts each on October 30, 2026. The company recognized the two women for their work at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which handles nearly 100 million passengers annually. The awards followed a social media post that drew attention to Edwards' practice of greeting restroom users with encouragement.

Edwards works in the women's restroom at the airport. She greets travelers with the phrase, "Welcome to the happy restroom!" She offers compliments and words of affirmation to every woman who enters. Edwards said she tells women they are beautiful and kind. "I want them to know their smile, they are kind, they are important," Edwards said. She noted that travelers often enter the room looking frustrated but leave smiling.

The practice gained public attention after traveler Tovah Jacobson encountered Edwards during a stressful day. Jacobson heard Edwards calling out affirmations such as, "Women, remember, you are beautiful!" Jacobson thanked Edwards and took a photograph of the interaction. She shared the story on Facebook, describing Edwards as a hero who turned an overlooked job into an opportunity to make others feel valued. The post prompted other travelers to share similar experiences of kindness at the airport.

Freeman, a coworker of Edwards, also works at the airport and shares a similar philosophy. She said she loves people and focuses on making connections because individuals often face unseen challenges. "You meet people every day and you don't know what people are going through," Freeman said. Freeman recalled being hired on the same day the application process closed, and she committed to being the best version of herself at work.

Unifi leadership stated that Edwards and Freeman exemplify the company's core values of Passion, integrity, and empathy. A company executive said the two employees "put the P in PIE." The company's CEO noted that while technology plays a large role in life, human connection builds relationships. "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.

Edwards, a young mother raising a daughter, hopes to attend college and become an ultrasound technician. The recognition was unexpected for her, but she expressed gratitude for the gift. Freeman was also moved by the surprise. The company presented the gifts in a moment filled with applause and emotion.

The airport remains busy with travelers rushing to catch flights or make connections. Edwards continues to greet women in the restroom, and Freeman continues to interact with passengers during her shifts. Both women work under the guidance of Unifi, which serves the Hartsfield-Jackson facility.