Gwen Atkinson-Williams is from Brunswick, Georgia. She attended Glynn Academy High School. She has an associate's degree in Business Administration/Accounting and Medical Laboratory Technology from Brunswick College, a Bachelor of Education, Middle Grades from Armstrong State College, a Master of Education, Secondary Science from Georgia Southern University, a Certification in Educational Leadership and Administration from Georgia Southern University, and a Doctor of Education, Educational Leadership and Administration from Georgia Southern University.

Gwen Atkinson-Williams is a teacher. She works at Glynn County Schools, where she has been for 30 years. She previously worked as an Adjunct Professor at Savannah State University and a Medical Laboratory Tech - PRN at Southeast Georgia Health System.

Gwen Atkinson-Williams' campaign for City Commissioner is her first entry into politics.