Berenthien was also active in the civic community. She was president of the Soroptimist Club of Macon in 1973, was elected to the board of directors of the Southern Region, Soroptimist Federation of the Americas, in 1978, and was honored as Woman of Achievement in 1985 by the Macon Business and Professional Women's Club. In early 1986, she felt a strong conviction to work at Covenant House, a shelter for homeless and run-away youth. She was the only Protestant who worked in the Catholic prayer community. She felt a call to the ministry and entered Candler School of Theology at Emory University in 1988.
Lawyers have to be tough.
My law partner, Virgil Shepard, was a fine Christian man, but he was tough as nails. People don't really understand what lawyers have to go through or, better yet, they don't really understand the system. However, I can remember many fine Christian lawyers practicing in Macon. Goodness knows, we need more Christian lawyers. Don't be unduly influenced by others.