Meet Teresa Zuñiga Odom, 2014 Mildred Bell Johnson Lifetime Achievement Award Winner

Hoover resident Teresa Zuñiga Odom will receive the 2014 Mildred Bell Johnson Lifetime Achievement Award, an award given annually to a woman who has a prior affiliation with Girl Scouting and has made a lifelong contribution to her community by distinguishing herself through professional, community or humanitarian efforts. The Mildred Bell Johnson honoree serves as a role model for past, present and future Girl Scouts.

GSNCA will present its Women of Distinction Luncheon on Friday, March 7, 2014, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Harbert Center in downtown Birmingham. This luncheon will recognize 10 outstanding women representing Walker, Blount, Jefferson, Shelby, Chilton and St. Clair counties.

Odom has been a volunteer in Birmingham’s Hispanic community for many years. Through her involvement with the Hispanic Business Council (HBC), she helped to create the annual Fiesta in 2002. The event was begun with the goal of awarding scholarships to deserving Hispanic students, and the event is now going into its 12th year.

Since Fiesta’s inception about $50,000 has been awarded to deserving students. The success of the event is one of Odom’s proudest accomplishments, right behind her family and Girl Scouts.

“As a founding board member we didn’t know if Fiesta would last one year, but we were determined to try because a group of us felt strongly that Birmingham and the region needed a cultural event like Fiesta,” said Odom. “We weren’t disappointed when the crowds showed up and the community—both Hispanic and non-Hispanic—responded positively to this event.”

Community service is important to Odom, and she says it has always been a learning experience.

“I believe the lesson you learn through community service is that you keep learning—about people, issues, community needs and yourself,” she said.

In addition to her work with HBC, Odom has worked with UAB Foreign Language Advisory Committee, and she has served on the boards of the Leading Edge Institute, Childcare Resources, Oasis Women & Children’s Counseling, Hispanic Business Council, The Women’s Network, the Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama (HICA), for which she has always held a leadership position, and others.

“I first jumped into board service because I wanted to ‘help.’ Little did I know that within a few short months, I would be asked to serve as chair of the organization and we would go through a major transition!”

In addition to her invaluable experiences, Odom has been able to share her passion for community service with the people she has met.

“Each experience has built upon the next and I’m forever grateful for these experiences and the people I’ve met along the way…people I’ve shared a passion with about whatever work we were doing at the time,” she said. “I’ve made some life-long friends through these experiences; people with such giving hearts that I try to emulate.”

Alumna Spotlight: Judge Debra Goldstein

Judge Debra Goldstein is a remarkable example of the success that Girl Scouts breeds. Not only has she succeeded in career, family and other endeavors, but she has been dedicated in service to Girl Scouts for many years. As this year’s Mildred Bell Johnson Award recipient, Judge Goldstein, continues to be a woman of distinction and leadership, having served as a Girl Scout board member, chair of several committees and for 10 years as a troop leader, guiding 10 girls to their Gold Awards.

Judge Goldstein believes Girl Scouts helped to instill many of the characteristics that lead to many of own her life’s accomplishments. From a tender Girl Scout Brownie to a Girl Scout Junior, Judge Goldstein learned about responsibility, teamwork and leadership from Girl Scouts. “The most rewarding experience for me was interaction with other women and being exposed to ideas,” Judge Goldstein shared. “I learned one can strive for many things: careers, education and different opportunities, [and] I was shown by example.” 

With that, having placed her daughter in various sports and extracurricular activities, Judge Goldstein deemed it necessary to expose her daughter to Girl Scouts, where she served as troop leader, just as her mother was leader of her childhood troop. Likewise, she utilized troop leadership as a platform to serve as a positive role model for her daughter and the other Girl Scouts of Troop 734, instilling in them a drive to simply “leave things better than you [found] them,” she says.

Everything Judge Goldstein has gained from Girl Scouts has translated into real world experiences, contributing to her success in corporate and government law, a judge seat for more than 23 years and accomplishments as a novelist. Always excelling, Judge Goldstein believes that Girl Scouts taught her the important art of skill development. 

Looking back, she realizes how through the many activities and badges earned throughout her Girl Scout days, she gained confidence and useful lifetime skills, often times without even realizing it. She also learned “it’s okay to not be great at everything,” and to “lean into the skills that you are good at."  A great leader, she used this same approach when her troop was formed, taking on responsibilities in the areas of her strengths and delegating other responsibilities, allowing everyone to function in their specialties.

Another approach to life Judge Goldstein has taken away from Girl Scouts is that “if everybody does a little bit, it all gets done,” she shares. This is a tactic that has not only brought her personal success, but has enabled those around her to attain success through her leading. Judge Goldstein credits Girl Scouts with giving her the tools that have helped her live a remarkable life, and she’s worked tirelessly in a variety of capacities to make sure that other girls have the same opportunity to realize their dreams.

Meet Margaret Morton, 2013 Woman of Distinction, Frances E. Couch Awardee

Margaret Morton has been the executive director of the Sylacauga Alliance for Family Enhancement, Inc. (SAFE) since 1997, and she is the president of the Alabama Network of Family Resource Centers. Under her leadership, SAFE has grown to offer more than 25 programs in the areas of case management, job searching, parenting education, marriage and family relationship skills, family literacy, youth empowerment and more.

When the city of Sylacauga had to shut down public transportation because of the recent economic downturn, Morton reached an agreement with city officials that allowed SAFE to take over management of the transportation system so that families and others who depended on the system would be able to get to work. The transportation system is now in the black financially.

She is known nationwide as having the model family service center, and has presented at national conferences in Denver and San Francisco.

Morton serves on the boards of the Sylacauga Literacy Council, the Talladega County Community Improvement Foundation, the Alabama Partnership for Children and others. She is also involved in state government to support family services.

Morton has received Sylacauga’s Woman of Achievement Award; the Award for Outstanding Commitment to the Children and Families of Alabama; and the Talladega County Women Committee to Excellence Award-Professional Category.

Morton says she has learned many lessons through Girl Scouting and her work in the community. “I have learned that leadership is not about being in an executive leadership position; it’s about responsibility, discipline, preparedness, cooperation and partnership, problem solving, service and shared vision,” she says. “Leadership is about being a role model without intention, but by nature. It’s about a moral compass that drives every aspect of the choices you make and the way you live your life. It’s about determination and persistence. It’s about service; it’s about service to the ‘least of these.’ And most importantly it’s about service to God.”

Morton will be honored at the 2013 East-Central Women of Distinction luncheon on Friday, March 8. For more information, visit http://girlscoutsnca.org/wodeastcentral. 

Meet Judge Debra Goldstein, 2013 Woman of Distinction - Mildred Bell Johnson Awardee

Judge Debra Goldstein has been an administrative law judge for the Social Security Administration for the past 20 years. Before this position she was a trial attorney with the United States Department of Labor for 12 years. She is also an accomplished writer, and received an Independent Book Publisher (IPPY) Award for her mystery novel Maze in Blue, published in 2011. She has published numerous award-winning short stories and essays, as well as legal articles on sexual harassment, sex offender registration and notification, sex-based wage discrimination, mentoring, equal pay act and social security practice.

She currently serves on the YWCA board, the UAB Center for Metabolic Bone Disease Community Leadership Council, Alys Stephens advisory board, the American Heart Association Go Red for Women Executive advisory board and the Birmingham Bar Association Bulletin. In the past she has served on the executive board, board of directors and several committees for United Way of Central Alabama; as president, executive board member and program committee member of the Women’s Network; as social action vice president, administrative vice president and board member for Hadassah; as well as numerous other positions in the community.

Goldstein was a 2002 Woman of Distinction and was named one of the Birmingham Business Journal’s Top Ten Women in 2004. Her involvement with Girl Scouting began when she was Brownie as a girl. She has since served as a board member and troop leader.

With all of her accolades, Goldstein says her family is still her greatest sense of pride. “My children are my proudest accomplishment. Through them I see that whatever I have done, they have the capacity to go beyond,” she says.

The most valuable lesson she has learned from her service to the community is, “to be a good listener and to always try to leave something better than I found it.”

Goldstein will be honored a the 2013 East-Central Alabama Women of Distinction luncheon on Friday, March 8. For more information, visit http://girlscoutsnca.org/wodeastcentral. 

Meet Bonika Wilson, 2013 Woman of Distinction

Bonika Wilson is president and chief executive officer of Wilson Capital Management. Prior to this position, she was senior vice president with SunTrust Bank, a position she earned at age 30.

Wilson has supported women and minority-owned businesses throughout her career by giving free workshops on small business financing, financial management and business planning. She also consults women on motivating employees and maintaining work/life balance. She mentors teenage girls on college preparation, self-esteem, entrepreneurship and community service through the nonprofit I am My Brothers/Sisters Keeper.

She also serves on the boards of the YWCA of Central Alabama and others, in addition to her involvement with several organizations including the Leading Edge Institute and Court Appointed Special Advocates.

She received the 2009 Impact Award from George Washington University and has been featured in several magazines for her success and community involvement.

Wilson’s greatest accomplishment is balancing motherhood and successful entrepreneurship. She reveals her passion for mentoring: “Women have a special ability to nurture, support each other and celebrate success. There is an unbelievable synergy when you get women together who have shared interests, goals and passion-nothing is impossible!” She measures her success by how she plants seeds, and how the work she does today will impact those who came after her.

Wilson will be honored at the 2013 East-Central Alabama Women of Distinction luncheon on Friday, March 8. For more information, go to http://girlscoutsnca.org/wodeastcentral.

Meet Deborah Voltz, 2013 Woman of Distinction

Deborah Voltz has served as dean of UAB’s School of Education since 2011, becoming the first African American dean at UAB. Prior to her appointment, she was an associate professor at the school, has been the director of UAB’s Center for Urban Education and its Urban Education Project.

Voltz has collaborated on books, journal articles and other publications, and she has made presentations at several national conferences. She has spoken about teaching in urban classrooms, special education and learning diversity.

She was given Phi Delta Kappa’s Educator of the Year Award in 2010 and named an Unsung Hero in the Birmingham Times’ Trailblazers for the Next Generation in 2008.

“It is important to me to make a difference as I move through the journey of life. As an educator, you have the opportunity—or really, the responsibility—to make an impact in many young lives. These young people, throughout the course of their lives, go on to impact many, many others. Consequently, the influence of an educator can live on indefinitely,” Voltz says.

Voltz will be honored at the 2013 East-Central Women of Distinction luncheon on Friday, March 8. For more information, go to http://girlscoutsnca.org/wodeastcentral. 

Meet Joyce Spielberger, 2013 Woman of Distinction

Joyce Spielberger is executive director of Magic Moments, Inc., a wish-granting organization for children in Alabama. Her creativity, community building skills and compassion have increased the organization’s visibility among families, funders and volunteers. Before this position, she served as director of community relations and overseas programs for the Birmingham Jewish Federation for 11 years.

Spielberger has worked with the Israeli Consulate to the Southeast, the Anti-Defamation League American Israel Public Affairs Committee, American Israel Chamber of Commerce, the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to address societal issues.

She currently serves on the boards of directors of the YWCA of Central Alabama, the Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama, the Alabama Poverty Project, University of Alabama Hillel and MeetUP for Change.

Spielberger is passionate about serving her community. “The most valuable lesson I have learned through my service to the community is the importance of joining forces whenever possible,” she says. “In my years of communal service, I have met so many passionate people, all dedicated to the same goals of lifting our community, helping those in need and correcting social injustices. There is truly strength in numbers; the value and importance of combining forces and limited resources cannot be understated.”

Speilberger will be honored at the 2013 East-Central Alabama Women of Distinction luncheon on Friday, March 8. For more information, visit http://girlscoutsnca.org/wodeastcentral.

Meet Lori Snodgrass, 2013 Woman of Distinction

Lori Snodgrass is a partner at Deloitte & Touche LLP. When she assumed the position, she was one of only two women in Alabama authorized to lead an audit on publicly-traded companies.

Snodgrass is a member of the boards for Junior Achievement of Greater Birmingham and the Birmingham Girls’ Choir, where she serves as treasurer. She is a member of the professional advisory board for the Culverhouse School of Accountancy at the University of Alabama, and she and her husband are members of the Tocqueville Society of United Way of Central Alabama. She also serves on the Homewood Middle School Parent Teacher Organization board and is a Homewood High School band booster.

She is passionate about encouraging young women to pursue careers in math and science. She leads on-campus recruiting at the University of Alabama for her firm.

“I have learned how very important it is to serve as a mentor to young women, those in my community and church, and the younger female professionals in my firm. In my role as a mentor, I try to encourage young women to try new experiences to build confidence,” she says.

Snodgrass will be honored at the 2013 East-Central Women of Distinction luncheon on Friday, March 8. For more information, visit http://girlscoutsnca.org/wodeastcentral.

Meet Lisa Narrell-Mead, 2013 Woman of Distinction

Lisa Narrell-Mead began her professional career with a legal career in private practice. She then transitioned to the banking community, where she has worked for more than 20 years.

She serves on the junior board of the YWCA of Central Alabama, and on the boards of the Red Mountain Theatre Company, the American Heart Association and the Alabama Humanities Foundation, for which she helped to raise more than $50,000 at a fundraiser saluting Harper Lee’s classic To Kill a Mockingbird. Narrell-Mead was also chosen as a finalist for the Birmingham Business Journal’s Top Human Resources Executives Award and is an alumna of the Momentum Women’s Leadership Program.

Narrell-Mead received her bachelor of science in political science from Birmingham-Southern College and her juris doctorate from Emory University School of Law. She has a particular passion for giving back to her community, with an emphasis on issues affecting women and children.

Narrell-Mead will be honored at the 2013 East-Central Women of Distinction luncheon on March 8. For more information, go to http://girlscoutsnca.org/wodeastcentral.

Meet Suzan Smith Doidge, 2013 Woman of Distinction

Since 2008 Suzan Smith Doidge has served as executive director of the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce. Since then, she has grown the membership base, strengthened the board of directors and leadership, and improved events held to support local businesses. Under her leadership, Mountain Brook businesses have seen growing sales in spite of a tough economy, and sales tax revenues have increased.

Before working with the Chamber, Doidge was instrumental in bringing Southwest Airlines to Birmingham as the company’s marketing manager of its Birmingham office. She also worked with the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and was a social worker at Hillcrest Hospital.

In the community, Doige has served on the boards of Ronald McDonald House, the McWane Science Center and Childcare Resources. She has also been involved with City Stages, the Sidewalk Film Festival and Junior League of Birmingham, where she is a member and sustainer.

Her passion for community is evident in her professional life. “Community service gives you a sense of personal satisfaction that you have made a difference. Understanding community needs helps foster empathy and self-efficacy,” she says.

Doidge says being a working mom is her greatest accomplishment.

Doidge will be honored at the 2013 East-Central alabama Women of Distinction luncheon on March 8. For more information, visit http://girlscoutsnca.org/wodeastcentral.

Meet the Honorable Agnes Chappell, 2013 Woman of Distinction

Judge Agnes Chappell has served as senior trial referee for Jefferson Family Court and as municipal court judge for more than 30 years. Before this position, she was a partner with the law firm Brown, Chappell & Burrell for three years, and was the managing attorney with Birmingham Area Legal Services.

She presides over the domestic violence court, and has worked in the community to decrease the incidence of domestic violence. She has been a leader in The Women’s Fund’s program to reduce sex trafficking in our community, educating law enforcement officials and social workers so they recognize the signs of sex trafficking. She also developed the Purple Dress Campaign to educate teenagers about healthy relationships, in addition to her service to many other organizations in the area.

“The most valuable lessons I learned were perhaps through Girl Scouting; these are the lessons of courage and caring for others by trying to make the world a better place in which to live,” says Chappell.

Chappell will be honored at the 2013 East-Central Alabama Women of Distinction luncheon on Friday, March 8. For more information, visit http://girlscoutsnca.org/wodeastcentral.

Meet Anita Allcorn-Walker, 2013 Woman of Distinction

Anita Allcorn-Walker joined Alabama Power Company in 1990 as an internal auditor. She held positions of increasing responsibility associated with financial planning, finance, treasury, trust finance and budgeting. She has held the position of vice president and comptroller since 2010.

Allcorn-Walker is a member of the current class of the Momentum program, which focuses on empowering women to develop leadership skills that positively impact business, culture and politics in Alabama. Believing that mentoring is a requirement of leadership, she also mentors college students and young professional women, pointing them toward future success.

“One person can make a difference. If you look at all that needs to be accomplished in the community, you can become overwhelmed. Instead, take a look at one person at a time and see what their needs are. You as an individual can make a difference in that life, and that person can make a difference in someone else’s life. Before you know it, you have multiplied your impact in the community,” she says. Despite her success and involvement, Allcorn-Walker considers her two children to be her greatest accomplishment.

Allcorn-Walker will be honored at the 2013 East-Central Women of Distinction luncheon on March 8. For more information, go to http://girlscoutsnca.org/wodeastcentral. 

East-Central Women of Distinction 2013 to Be Recognized

The Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama will combine the east and central regions of its council for one Women of Distinction Luncheon on Friday, March 8, 2013, from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Harbert Center in downtown Birmingham. This luncheon will recognize 10 outstanding women representing Blount, Calhoun, Cherokee, Chilton, Clay, Cleburne, Etowah, Jefferson, Randolph, St. Clair, Shelby, Talladega or Walker counties.

The Women of Distinction program pays tribute to women who have made special contributions to their community through civic, academic or professional involvement. 

Judge Debra H. Goldstein of Hoover, Admin Law Judge, Social Security Administration, will receive the 2013 Mildred Bell Johnson Lifetime Achievement Award. The award is given annually to a woman who has a prior affiliation with Girl Scouting and has made a lifelong contribution to her community by distinguishing herself through professional, community or humanitarian efforts. The Mildred Bell Johnson honoree serves as a role model for past, present and future Girl Scouts.

Margaret Morton of Sylacauga, Executive Director, Sylacauga Alliance for Family Enhancement, Inc.; President, Alabama Network of Family Resource Centers, will receive the 2013 Frances E. Couch Lifetime Achievement Award. This distinguished award honors an outstanding woman who embodies unselfish leadership, is committed to community service in East Alabama, and exemplifies the ideals of Girl Scouting. 

The 2013 Women of Distinction Honorees are:

• Anita Allcorn-Walker of Birmingham, Vice President & Comptroller, Alabama Power Company 
• The Honorable Agnes Chappell of Birmingham, Municipal Court Judge, The City of Birmingham 
• Suzan Smith Doidge of Mountain Brook, Executive Director, Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce 
• Lisa Narrell-Mead of Vestavia, Executive Vice President, Cadence Bank 
• Lori Snodgrass of Homewood, Partner, Deloitte & Touche, LLP 
• Joyce Spielberger of Birmingham, Executive Director, Magic Moments 
• Deborah L. Voltz, Ed.D., of Hoover, Dean, UAB School of Education 
• Bonika Wilson of Birmingham, President and CEO, Wilson Capital Management 

Proceeds from the East-Central Women of Distinction Luncheon provide direct support to Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama, which serves more than 15,000 girl members in 36 counties.

The presenting sponsor is Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama. For more information on reservations or sponsorships, please contact Kelly Connelly at 800-734-4541 x1030 or visit http://girlscoutsnca.org/wodeastcentral. Reservations to the luncheon are $60 for general admission and $45 for Girl Scout members.

West Alabama Women to be Recognized

The Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama will recognize 10 women at the Women Who Serve West Alabama dinner on Thursday, February 28, 2013, from 5-7 p.m. at the University Church of Christ in Tuscaloosa. Alabama’s First Lady, Mrs. Dianne Bentley, will be the special guest. Women recognized at this reception represent Bibb, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Hamilton, Lamar, Marengo, Perry, Pickens, Sumter and Tuscaloosa counties. 

Easty Lambert-Brown (pictured), Owner of Borgo Publishing, will receive the 2013 Karen LaMoreaux Bryan Lifetime Achievement Award. This award is given to a woman who has demonstrated a lifelong dedication to making the world a better place through service to her community.

The 2013 Women Who Serve West Alabama Honorees are:

• Annette Cook of Tuscaloosa, Director, The SOAR Institute, Shelton State Community College 
• Sharon Cosby of Tuscaloosa, Case Manager, Temporary Emergency Services 
• Ruth Dailey of Tuscaloosa, Community Volunteer 
• Audrey Ellis of Tuscaloosa, Coordinator of Social Services, Tuscaloosa City Schools 
• Mary Nell Hallman of Tuscaloosa, Vice President-Commersial Lender, Bryant Bank 
• Dr. Linda Forte of Tuscaloosa, Director of Nursing, Stillman College 
• Eva Owens of Tuscaloosa, Office Administrator, Van Hoose & Steele Funeral Service 
• Lamea "Elle" Shaaban-Magana of Tuscaloosa, Director, Women's Resource Center 
• Marsha Sprayberry of Tuscaloosa, Director, Project Blessing 

As of January 11, 2013, primary benefactors for the reception are Mercedes-Benz and Regions Bank. To purchase tickets or for sponsorship information, please contact Kelly Connelly at 800-734-4541 x1030, or visit http://girlscoutsnca.org/womenwhoserve. Tickets to the reception are $50 each, and $40 for Girl Scout members.

Meet Mary Lee Witherspoon - 2012 Christina Richard Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient

Mary Witherspoon, a retired educator, has infl uenced students at a variety of schools such as Bearden School in Knoxville, the University of Tennessee, Maryville College, the University of Alabama in Huntsville and Hope Academy.

As a civic leader in her community, Witherspoon has contributed her time and talents to many organizations. She is currently on the governing board for Covenant Presbyterian Church and has served as secretary and board member for the Social Justice Ministry Team of the Interfaith Mission Service. Since 1995, she has been a member of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. She is also an advocate for organizations such as Alabama Citizens for Constitutional Reform, Alabama Arise and Interfaith Mission Service.

Witherspoon has received multiple honors and awards, such as the Liberty Bell Award in 1995 by the Huntsville Bar Association, the Christine Richard Award in 1997 from the Huntsville-Madison County Mental Health Association, the Valiant Woman Award in 1999 by Church Women United, and the Social Justice Award in 2012 from Interfaith Mission Service of Huntsville and Madison County.

For the past 25 years, Witherspoon and her husband have been involved in hosting and arranging speaking engagements for international peacemakers from the U.S.S.R., Hungary, Northern Ireland, India, Burma, Palestine, Syria, Jordan, Somalia, Angola, the Philippines, Cuba, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, China, South Africa, Sudan, Pakistan and Indonesia. She believes that personal interaction with people who have been involved in working for peace in war-torn parts of the world helps us understand the ravages of war so we can strive to avoid it.

Witherspoon received her bachelor’s degree from Maryville College, her master’s from the University of Tennessee and certifi cation of teaching from the University of Alabama.

Witherspoon says, “Change comes slowly, and it is only through working with others that one can maintain the commitment to seeking a peaceful and just world for all people.”

Meet Joanne Pearson - 2012 Woman of Distinction

Joanne Pearson has devoted herself to the benefit of those around her at her university, in her community and throughout the state of Alabama. She currently serves as co-vice president of fellowship and service for Athens State University’s Phi Theta Kappa Alumni Association.
 
As service unit manager of Girl Scout Service Unit 34 in Madison County, Pearson has increased the unit’s size by 300 percent, from 80 to 260 girls. She has actively worked to create partnerships with Recycle America, Firefighters Union and many other organizations to create opportunities for girls to perform service projects for their communities.
 
Pearson earned the title of Ms. Wheelchair Alabama in 2010. In this role, she served as an advocate, speaking to numerous organizations about excelling beyond one’s adversity and the abilities of those who are disabled. She continues to build connections in the community to help develop future leaders who will make the world a better place. 

Pearson says, “My proudest accomplishment is being able to share my knowledge as a Girl Scout, advocate and mother to help people succeed at their goals.”

Meet Dorothy Fojt Moore - 2012 Woman of Distinction

Dorothy “Dot” Moore founded The Whole Backstage Community Theatre of Guntersville 44 years ago, and has continued to be its foremost leader and visionary.
 
As a high school teacher and volunteer crusader for the arts, Moore has made many outstanding contributions to her community since she moved to Marshall County 50 years ago. Moore has received numerous honors and recognitions, including the Alabama Governor’s Award for Volunteers in the Arts, and was honored as one of the 100 Most Influential People of the 20th Century in the City of Guntersville.
 
Moore received a master’s degree in fine arts from the University of Montevallo. 

She lives to share her genuine and unselfish love for others, especially children and teenagers. Other than being a mother, Moore says, “My proudest accomplishment is my ability to be able to teach. This has allowed me to educate many people of all ages so they are able to achieve far more than they ever expected of themselves.”

Meet Amy Sparks Epps - 2012 Woman of Distinction

As an accomplished and recognized engineering leader, Amy Epps has supported the mission and vision of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center for over 25 years.
 
She provides technical leadership and serves as a role model for young women who have demonstrated skills in science, engineering and math.
 
Epps has served as a board member or leader for many organizations such as the Community Ballet Association, First United Methodist Church, Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild and Junior League of Huntsville. As a civic leader, she demonstrates character, commitment and confi dence in her ability to make her community, nation and world a better place.
 
When asked the most valuable lesson she has learned from her service to the community, she says, “The people who are the most successful will be those who understand how to take on new tasks at incremental levels, while gaining more experience each time.”

Meet Jeannie F. Courington - 2012 Woman of Distinction

Since the inception of the Albertville Boaz Recycling Center in 2009, Jeannie Courington
has volunteered as the executive director and was instrumental in the formation of the organization. She has also helped the city of Boaz start a volunteer recycling program.
 
Courington is the manager and co-owner of Courington Real Estate, Inc. She has been actively involved in real estate sales, development and management for most of her professional career.
 
As a resident of Albertville for over 40 years, Courington has served her community through civic, social and religious organizations, including Albertville Beautifi cation Board, Albertville Chamber of Commerce, Boaz Rotary Club, Marshall County Economic Development Council, Marshall County Leadership Challenge and United Way of Marshall County. She was instrumental in forming the Marshall County Board of Realtors and helped establish the
local Multiple Listing Service for realtors. In 2006, she was awarded the title of Albertville Citizen of the Year by the Albertville Chamber of Commerce, the highest recognition a citizen can achieve in Albertville.
 
Courington says the most valuable lesson she learned through community service
is, “You learn how much you love your community. Helping and teaching others makes a
difference in your daily life.”

Meet Dr. Mildred Caudle - 2012 Woman of Distinction

Dr. Mildred “Milly” Caudle is a former professor at Athens State University and a current member of the Athens City Council. 

Dr. Caudle is president of the Friends of General Joe Wheeler Home Foundation. Her proudest accomplishment is helping to save the General Joe Wheeler home, as she feels it represents one of the few examples of a heritage site.
 
She is a founding board member of Spirit of Athens, a downtown revitalization organization. Dr. Caudle also serves on the Athens-Limestone Public Library board of directors, where she is working to convert a vacant grocery store into a new, state-of-the-art library.
 
Dr. Caudle says the most valuable lesson learned from service to her community is, “There is no substitute for perseverance. One should identify community needs and work assiduously to meet them.”