Inductees

1971

• Hallie Farmer (1881-1960) Political Scientist, Educator, Author, Promoter of Prison Reform and Women Jury Duty
  
  
• Helen Adams Keller (1880-1968) Author, Lecturer, Scholar
  
  
• Julia Strudwick Tutwiler (1841-1916) Author, President of Alabama Normal College (now Livingston University), Promoter of Prison Reform, Author of Alabama's State Song

1972

• Agnes Ellen Harris (1883-1952) Educator, Dean of Women at Auburn University and at the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa
  
  
• Margaret Murray Washington (1856-1925) Founder of County and Industrial Schools

1973

• Edwina Donnelly Mitchell (1894-1968) Humanitarian, Social Services, Prison Reform
  
  
• Lurleen Burns Wallace (1926-1968) First Woman Governor of Alabama

1974

• Henrietta Gibbs (1879-1960) Social Services, Youth Counselor, Leader of Black Women's Causes
  
  
• Loraine Bedsole Tunstall (1879-1953) Social Services, Creator of Child Welfare Services, First Woman to Head a Department in Alabama State Government

1975

• Dixie Bibbs Graves (1883-1965) Social and Political Services, First Alabama Woman U.S. Senator
  
  
• Marie Bankhead Owen (1869-1958) Author, Historian, Director of Alabama Department of Archives and History

1976

• Ruth Robertson Berrey (1906-1973) Physician, Missionary to Nigeria
  
  
• Annie Lola Price (1903-1972) Attorney, First Woman to Serve on High Court of Alabama, Chief of Court of Criminal Appeals

1977

• Amelia Gayle Gorgas (1826-1913) Librarian, Nurse, Teacher, Counselor of University Students
  
  
• Augusta Evans Wilson (1835-1909) Author, Civil War Nurse

1978

• Annie Rowan Forney Daugette (1876-1974) Author, Historian, Designer of Alabama Great Seal
  
  
• Pattie Ruffner Jacobs (1875-1939) Political Scientist, Promoter of Women's Suffrage

1979

• Myrtle Brooke (1872-1948) Educator, Social Services, Mental Health Pioneer
  
  
• Carrie A. Tuggle (1858-1924) Educator, Social Services, Instigator of Juvenile and Domestic Courts, Founder of Black Orphanage

1980

• Kathleen Mallory (1879-1954) Social Services, Magazine Editor, Baptist Women's Missionary Union Executive
  
  
• Ruby Pickens Tartt (1880-1974) Author, Folklorist, Artist, Librarian
  

1981

• Tallulah Bankhead (1903-1968) Renowned Actress
  
  
• Mrs. R. D. Johnston (1851-1934) Founder of Boys Industrial School, Social Services

1982

• Sister Chrysostom Moynahan (1863-1941) First Registered Nurse licensed to Alabama, Hospital Administrator, Founded St. Vincent's School of Nursing
  
  
• Loula Friend Dunn (1896-1977) Commissioner of Public Welfare in Alabama, First Woman Executive Director of the American Public Welfare Association

1983

• Anne Mathilde Bilbro (1870-1958) Prolific Composer, Revolutionized the Teaching of Children's Piano Literature, Author of Short Stories, a Novel, Articles, and Folklore
  
  
• Clara Weaver Parrish (1861-1925) Artist, Author, Mosaic and Stained Glass Designer, Philanthropist

1984

• Mildred Westervelt Warner (1893-1974) Corporation President, Forestry Pioneer, Ecologist, Philanthropist
  
  
• Katherine White-Spunner (1892-1978) Nurse, Hospital Administrator, Promoter of Social Causes

1985

• Blanche Evans Dean (1892-1974) Conservation Educator, Naturalist, Author
  
  
• Katherine Vickery (1898-1978) Educator, Psychologist, Author, Promoter of Women's Rights

1986

• Chamintney Stovall Thomas (1899-1979) Musician, Teacher, Author, Dedicated Mother, Devoted Christian
  
  
• Martha Strudwick Young (1862-1941) Folklorist, Author, Poet

1987

• Elizabeth Caroline Crosby (1888-1983) Scientist, Teacher, Author
  
  
• Lella Warren (1899-1982) Author of Historical Novels, Feature Articles, and Short Stories

1988

• Katherine Cooper Cater (1914-1980) Auburn Dean of Women and later Dean of Student Life
  
  
• Mary Elizabeth Phillips Thompson (1855-1927) Principal and Teacher at Lincoln School for Black Children in Marion

1989

• Gwen Bristow (1903-1980) Journalist and Novelist
  
  
• Geneva Mercer (1889-1984) Internationally Acclaimed Sculptor

1990

• Maud McLure Kelly (1887-1973) First Woman to Practice Law in Alabama, First Woman to Plead a Case before the United States Supreme Court
  
  
• Octavia LeVert (1811-1877) Mobile's Most Famous Belle of the 19th Century

1991

• Frances Virginia Praytor (1899-1974)
  and
  
• Anna Linton Praytor (1914-1989) School Teachers and Owners/Operators of Birmingham's Smith and Hardwick Bookstore, Dedicated to Teaching and Learning
  
  
• Julia Tarrant Barron (1805-1890) She gave of her wealth and services for the establishment of education and religious institutions.

1992

• Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald (1900-1948) Author, Ballerina, Painter
  
  
• Frances Scott Fitzgerald Smith(1921-1986) Writer, Political Activist, and Patron of the Arts
  
  
• Bessie Morse Bellingrath (1878-1943) Developer of Bellingrath Gardens, a prominent national tourist attraction

1993

• Ida Elizabeth Brandon Mathis (1857-1925) Called the "Economic Moses of the South", Agriculture Reformist and Advocate of Crop Diversification and Crop Rotation
  
  
• Mary George Jordan Waite (1917-1990) First Woman To Be Elected President of a State Banking Association, Pioneer for Women in Business and Extensively Involved with Alabama Girls State

1994

• Doris Marie Bender (1911-1991) Widely Recognized in the Field of Social Work. Doris Bender set the highest standard for public service, and as a leader in community life and as a dedicated humanitarian, she gave a lifetime to serving others.
  
  
• Lottice Howell (1897-1982) A Star of Stage and Screen in the 1920's and 30's, Soprano Lottice Howell Possessed a Talent and Love for Music which She Shared with Others. Her professional accomplishments brought acclaim to this country and to Alabama.

1995-96

• Elizabeth Burford Bashinsky (1867-1968) Civic leader, Philanthropist Who was Instrumental in Establishing Scholarships for Alabama's youth
  
  
• Maude McKnight Lindsay (1874-1941) Internationally Acclaimed Author and Story Teller, She Established Alabama's First Free Kindergarten in 1898

1997

• Hattie Hooker Wilkins (1875-1949) A Woman of Vision and Courage; A Believer in Democracy; Promoter of Woman's Suffrage Movement. First Woman To Serve in the Alabama State Legislature. Devoted Wife and Mother.
  
  
• Marion Walker Spidle (1887-1983) Educator, Churchwoman, University Administrator, Community Leader; Optimism, Enthusiasm, and Energy Contributed to Significant Improvements in Health and Family Conditions. Her personal, spiritual, and intellectual strengths remain indelible.

1998

• Martha Foster Crawford (1830-1909) The first foreign missionary of the Southern Baptist Convention. She is renowned for her mentoring of younger missionaries, both male and female, including Lottie Moon. Her interests included women's physical, mental, and spiritual welfare.
  
  
• Maria Howard Weeden (1846-1905) An artist and poet, she published four books. Her talents made a unique contribution to an era in the history of the South.

1999

• Margaret Booth(1880-1953) She was the first principal of Demopolis High School, established the Margaret Booth School, founded the Demopolis Public Library, lectured on the history of painting and art in Europe. She was an intellectual and cultural mentor for the Montgomery area for almost forty years, and is remembered for the advances she made in education for women. She sought to prepare young women not only for college, but for life.
  
  
• Juliet Opie Hopkins (1818-1890) Organized medical and supply services to assist sick and wounded Alabama soldiers, who at the time were not provided with adequate medical services by the Confederate Medical Department. She established the first of three hospitals in Richmond, Virginia to provide a place of care and recovery for Alabamians.

2000

• Florence Golson Bateman (1891-1987) Accomplished songwriter and singer that was blind by the age of fifteen, due to a childhood accident. One of her famous pieces was "The Bird with a Broken Wing" which was dedicated to Helen Keller, whose life inspired Florence. She also contributed her talents to the community where she lived.
  
  
• Maria Fearing (1838-1937) Her life began in slavery on a plantation near Gainesville, AL. At the age of thirty-two, she worked her way though the Freedman's Bureau School in Talladega, where she became a teacher. At fifty-six, she sailed from New York to the Congo, with very little monetary support, to fulfill a calling as a missionary. She ended up in a place called Luebo. Her greatest contribution was the Pantops Home for Girls.

2001

• Ida Vines Moffett (1905-1996) As a nurse for more than 70 years, she was a gifted healer whose touch could transform a patients health. Having presided over the graduation and licensing of more than 4,000 nurses, and having led the major health care professional organizations of the state, she made an indelible mark on an industry. She worked at many levels of the medical system to aid in better education for nurses and better care of patients. Half way through her career, the Baptist Hospital nursing school was named The Ida V. Moffett School of Nursing in recognition of her contributions to Alabama’s healthcare profession.
  
  
• Sibyl Murphree Pool (1901-1973) A lady that was far ahead of her time. She opened the political door for women by becoming the first woman elected to a state wide office. She was the second woman elected to the Alabama legislature and served longer in political office than any other woman in the state’s history.

2002

• Idella Jones Childs (1903 - 1998) To the city of her birth, she was faithfully devoted. A woman among women, Mrs. Childs was genial in companionship, respectful in association, honest in transactions, and zealous in good works. In all human ways, a lady; in all public relations, a patriot.

• Jane Lobman Katz (1931 - 1986) A woman of vision and courage, she gained the respect of so many of Alabama's top leaders. Her ability to make a complex, controversial, sensitive political issue one that was understandable and straight - forward informed many, inside and outside the legislature. A lady that never sought credit for herself but devoted her talents toward improving the quality of government in Alabama.

2003

• Dr. Louise Branscomb (1901-1999) Pioneer female physician dedicated to bringing better health to individuals and society. Methodist church and civic leader. WWII Major in the U.S. Public Health Service. Internationally known activist for racial, social, and economic justice and women's rights. Philanthropist.

• Bess Bolden Walcott (1886-1988) Outstanding public service through the American Red Cross. First black female to serve as a Red Cross Acting Field Director. Conservator of Tuskegee Institute's unique historic legacy. Librarian, teacher, writer, editor, administrator, and museum curator. Humanitarian.

2004

• Nancy Batson Crews (1920-2001) First woman inducted: Alabama Aviation Hall of Fame. First Alabama woman to fly military aircraft as part of the Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS), U.S. Army Air Force, WWII. Pilot of exceptional ability who blazed a trail for women flyers of today.

• Rosa Gerhardt (1898-1975) First woman in the State of Alabama to serve as president of a bar association. Leader and pioneer to all women in the legal field, preparing the way for subsequent generations of women lawyers. Worked to advance the cause of professional women. An active and committed member of the Jewish community.

2005

• Vera Hall (1902-1964) An internationally acclaimed blues and folk singer who gained national exposure in the late 1930s. Her contributions to the Folksong Archives of the Library of Congress are invaluable resources for both scholars and lovers of folk music. One of the most stunning voices of American folk singers.

• Juliette Hampton Morgan (1914-1957) Juliet Hampton Morgan was a Montgomery librarian who became a very determined civil rights activist. She was a profilic writer who expressed her views on the need to end racial segregation in the state. Ms. Morgan took seriously the American ethic of "liberty and justice for all."

2006

• Virginia Foster Durr (1903-1999) was a civil rights activist who worked to abolish the poll tax and advance the rights of women and African-Americans. She was cited by President Bill Clinton for her courage and conviction which helped change a nation.

• Mary Celesta Johnson Weatherly (1890-1976) was Alabama's and America's Mother of the Year in 1962. She was a proponent of reading and education in DeKalb County. She was the founder of the first county library and the first Fort Payne Literacy School.

2007

• Fran McKee (1926-2002) was a native of Florence. She was the first woman unrestricted line officer in the U.S. Navy promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral. She brought honor to her family, her state and her nation.

• Martha C. Myers (1945-2002) was a native of Birmingham. She was a missionary and a physician at the Jibla Baptist Hosptial in Yemen for 24 years. She was martyred on December 30, 2002. She was a woman of exemplary commitment to the cause of Christ.

• Rosa McCauley Parks (1913-2005) was born in Tuskegee and raised in Montgomery.  On December 1, 1955, Parks refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama bus.  Her non-violent direct action protest and subsequent arrest led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which ended racial segregation on the city's buses.  A long-time advocate of social justice, her actions launched the modern Civil Rights Movement, leading to Parks' designation as the "Mother of the Civil Rights Movement."  Rosa Parks was a woman of silent dignity and grace whose life changed the state, the nation and the world.

• Coretta Scott King  (1927-2006) was raised on a farm in Perry County, Alabama. She attended segregated schools, was valedictorian of Lincoln High School, and graduated from Antioch College. After her marriage to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., she became the first woman to deliver the class day address at Harvard. After Dr. King was assassinated, she worked to build the King center in Atlanta as a living memorial to her husband. Mrs. King led the campaign to establish Dr. King's birthday as a national holiday.

• Mary Ivy Burks (1920 - 2007) was born to Earl Moore Ivy and Lorene Fletcher Ivy, in Birmingham, Alabama on December 11, 1920. She graduated from Ramsey High School in 1937 and from Birmingham-Southern College in 1941.  Both are located in Birmingham, Alabama.

• Margaret Charles Smith's (1906-2004) mother, Bueha Sanders, died three weeks after giving birth to a woman who became a legend for birthing babies. Her grandmother, Margaret Charles, a former slave, raised the future midwife, who delivered over 3,500 babies and never lost a mother. She lost very few babies.

• Evelyn Daniel Anderson (1926-1998) Becoming a paraplegic at age four and considered her disability only a "physical inconvenience" she was the catalyst for the Alabama Legislature to change a law prohibiting the handicapped from teaching and became the first handicapped teacher hired by Alabama Public Schools.  She was honored as an outstanding educator, community volunteer and advocate for the disabled.

• Ada Ruth Stovall (1913-2008) Through her leadership as the first woman appointed Assistant State Director of Vocational Education for the Alabama Department of Education, the State implemented a program of vocational and career education that became a model for the nation.  During an era when women had few opportunities, she inspired many to assume leadership roles.
  

• Nina Miglionico (1913-2009) A courageous lawyer who advocated positive change, Nina Miglionico served on the Birmingham City Council for 22 years. Because of her support for women’s and civil rights, a bomb, which did not explode, was placed on her porch in 1965, and a cross was burned in her yard in 1974. In 1996 she was recognized by the ABA as one of the five outstanding women lawyers in America that year.

• Frances Cabaniss Roberts (1917-2000) An advocate for the importance of Alabama’s history, Dr. Roberts was editor of the Huntsville Historical Review, president of the Alabama Historical Association, and author of textbooks for the state’s schools. She was a founder of Alabama’s Constitution Village, and first chairman of the History Department at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Her work made Huntsville a model for historic preservation in Alabama.


• Zora Neale Hurston (1891-1960) A leading writer of the Harlem Renaissance Movement and a fiction writer and Folklorist, Hurston is best known for her novel Their Eyes Were Watching God. She collected folktales from the Caribbean and American South and published the first volume of African American folklore by an African American. She died in obscurity; a gravestone now recognizes her as “A Genius of the South.”

• Hazel Mansell Gore (1923-2001) After extensive education and career development in Australia and the United States, Dr. Gore joined the Departments of Pathology and Obstetrics and Gynecology at The University of Alabama at Birmingham. She taught a generation of physicians and was honored as a world leader in gynecological pathology. She is considered a "giant among women in medicine in Alabama".

• Kathryn Tucker Windham (1918-2011) A master storyteller, Windham was an author of twenty-nine books, playwright, photographer, journalist, and popular television and radio personality. Her favorite stories were about ghosts and growing up in rural Alabama. She was featured on National Public Radio's All Things Considered and was a regular storyteller for Alabama Public Radio's Alabama Life.

• Anne Mae Beddow (1893-1974) In May 1918 Beddow was inducted into the first unit of the Army Nurse Corps as a lieutenant. She served as a pioneer nurse anesthetist with Base Hospital No. 102 in Vincenza, Italy. During the "Vittorio Veneto" offensive on the Italian front she developed the technique for administering pentothal sodium intravenously for major surgery patients. Her technique was used well through the twentieth century. 


• Sarah Haynsworth Gayle (1804-1835) Sarah Gayle kept a journal from 1827-1835. It is one of the most widely studied and seminal accounts of antebellum life in the American South. It is a portrait of the daily struggles of women living in a violent region that recently had been frontier. 

• Mary Ward Brown (1917-2013) Using the setting and characters of her Black Belt home, Brown wrote about race, class, religion, times of change, and family conflicts in a way that revealed the universal traits of these subjects. She won many awards, including the PEN/Hemingway Award in 1987 for Best Book of Fiction by an American Author. Southern journalist John Sledge called Brown "our genius, our Chekov."


• Sara Crews Finley (1930-2013) A graduate of the Medical College of Alabama, Dr. Finley studied genetics at the University of Uppsala, Sweden and co-founded with her husband, Dr. Wayne Finley, the first medical genetics program in the southeastern United States. She was a medical genetics pioneer who transcended gender barriers throughout her career.

• Jessie Welch Austin (1884-1987)  Chief Clerk and Administrator of the Elmore County Sheriff Office when her husband was sheriff, she later ran and was elected Alabama's first woman sheriff in 1939.  Following her term in office, Governor James Folsom appointed her as warden of Julia Tutwiler Prison where she worked and counseled women prisoners until her retirement.


• Jeanne Freigel Berman(1914-1981) Political activist and founder of the Alabama League of Women Voters, she organized most local league chapters in Alabama. Tireless in promoting physical and mental health, she was instrumental in the passage of the bill that formed the Mental Health Association of Alabama. As a final act of generosity, she donated her body to medical science.

• Milly Francis (1802 or 1803 - 1848) Leaving behind an idyllic childhood, she faced war then displacement from her Creek Indian village.  During adverse hardship, she perservered while showing compassion when she saved the life of an American soldier.  She survived the arduous journey on the Trail of Tears.  Milly died before receiving a pension and medal from the United States Government in an expression of gratitude.

• Nelle Harper Lee (1926 - 2016) Beloved author of To Kill a Mockingbird, a classic of American literature.  Her novel is a masterwork of honor, racial and social injustice, with individual heroism reaching beyond racial and social boundaries.  Through her literary work, she has encouraged us to see and understand ourselves and each other more clearly and demonstrated for us the importance of striving for justice wherever injustice is found.

• Mother Mary Angelica (1923 - 2016)  Using her entrepreneurial instincts, Mother Angelica launched what became the world’s largest religious media empire in the garage of a Birmingham, Alabama monastery.  Eternal Word Television Network reaches over 300 million viewers in hundreds of countries worldwide. With her guidance and influence, she served as the general contractor for Our Lady of the Angels Monastery in Hanceville, Alabama.


• Janie Ledlow Shores (1932 - 2017)  Defined as a trail-blazer, role model, legend and heroine, she fought for equality during her lifelong career in law.  She became the first woman law school professor in Alabama in 1965, and later the first woman elected to the Alabama Supreme Court in 1974.  Winning several re-elections, she served with distinction on the Alabama Supreme Court for 25 years.