Alie B. Gorrie is GSNCA's youngest-ever Woman of Distinction. At 18-years old, she's already made a huge impact on her community.
Gorrie is the visionary force behind Songs for Sight, a concert she initiated and developed, benefiting the UAB Center for Low Vision Rehabilitation and supporting research efforts for the Optic Nerve Imaging Center. Her mission is to create a unique musical event that entertains, educates and inspires others while providing financial support for low vision research and clinical care. More than 600 members of the Birmingham community turned out in support of this special cause, raising more than $420,000 for the effort. Since its inception, the Songs for Sight concert has become an exciting biennial fundraising event. As an ongoing project, Songs for Sight continues to have a vast impact on the low vision community in Alabama with the potential to generate the most money ever raised in Alabama for this purpose.
Gorrie has dedicated many hours to other volunteer efforts in addition to Songs for Sight. She has trained with her dog to be a Hand-in-Paw therapy team. She has been the featured vocalist for Hand-in-Paw’s gala, the A.G. Gaston Boys and Girls Club dinner honoring Condoleezza Rice and the United Way of Central Alabama campaign. She also volunteers at the Birmingham Crisis Center and The Hope Lodge and serves as worship leader at Cathedral Church of the Advent.
Throughout her high school career, Gorrie has maintained a fabulous academic record and has held several leadership and service positions. She serves as secretary of the Mountain Brook High School (MBHS) Student Government Association and has also served as an SGA Representative. She is a member of the Key Club, Habitat for Humanity Advisory Board, is a MBHS Ambassador, president of the Red Cross Club, vice president of the Stand Up Club, a member of the Chamber Choir and a past member of the Concert Choir. She also served as editor of the literary magazine and was named Miss Olympian.
Gorrie has been active in musical theatre since the age of nine. She trained in New York at Stagedoor Manor, receiving the Best Supporting Actress award and at the Interlochen Center for the Arts, receiving the Most Outstanding Musical Performance Award. Gorrie is a member of the Red Mountain Theatre Company Performing Ensemble and she has performed in more than 20 musicals and dramas on a high school, community and regional level.
Gorrie has been recognized for her achievements locally and nationally. She is the recipient of the Prudential Spirit of the Community Award, where she was the Alabama high school winner and national winner; Daily Points of Light Award; Top 10 Teen Leaders in the U.S.; Project Love-Purple Heart America distinction; Top 25 Build a Bear Huggable Heroes National Service Award; EyeSight Foundation of Alabama Visionary Award; and Kohl’s Kids Who Care Regional Service Award. She was a Top 12 Finalist and Overall Talent Winner in the Miss Alabama Outstanding Teen Pageant and was First Alternate and Self Expression Winner in the Jefferson County Junior Miss Pageant.
Gorrie encourages others to believe in the power of their own dreams as she explains, “I am a firm believer in the power of dreams. Everyone has the ability to dream and to put their dreams into action, no matter how big or small. All it takes is one small spark of inspiration.”
Gorrie will be honored at the Central Alabama Women of Distinction Luncheon on March 4. You can purchase tickets online at www.girlscoutsnca.org/wodcentral.
