The Uptowne Neighborhood Association was established in 1969. In 1971, they changed their name to Midtown Neighborhood Association (MNA), then around 1995 it was also known as the Midtown Neighbors' Association. Some of the original objectives were neighborhood beautification, encouraging home improvements, attracting permanent residents, preserving landmarks, building Midtown into a significant public voice, and public relations with government officials. The Midtown Neighborhood Association operates as a non-profit 501-(c)(3) corporation and is governed by self written and resident adopted by-laws. The MNA board and membership consists of community Midtown Atlanta residental volunteers. MNA provides official recommendations on land use, liquor licenses, and special event permit applications as a partner with the Development Review Committees in Special Public Interest (SPI) Districts for Zones 16 and 17. The MNA also works closely with the Neighborhood Planning Unit-E by providing representation on their board as well as the board for Midtown Alliance.

Elizabeth P. Ruddiman (1955- ) was born to Nancy Yeaton Ruddiman (1925-2009) and Rodney John Ruddiman (1925-1990) in Massachusetts. She was raised in Maryland and then attended Chatham University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Biology in 1977. Ruddiman relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, and attended Georgia State University where she earned her Master of Arts in Sociology, specializing in urban development and racial studies. She also earned a PhD in sociology from Georgia State University. While earning her doctorate, she co-wrote an article, Sprawl City: race, politics, and planning in Atlanta in 2000. In 2007, she also wrote a dissertation titledIs Smart Growth Fair Growth: Do Urban Growth Boundaries Keep out Racial Minorities? Ruddiman volunteered with the Midtown Neighborhood Association for nearly 25 years and served in many position such as secretary, board member, editor, vice president, and president.