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    • Odessa Woolfolk

    Odessa Woolfolk

    Founding President

    Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

    Birmingham, AL USA

    “I don't think anybody who has been successful has had a pain-free life. Pain, embarrassment, falling on your face--those are motivators.”

    Videos

    Videos

    By Roadtrip Nation

    Odessa Woolfolk

    Highlight
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    00:54
    Odessa Woolfolk HighlightInterview Highlight
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    05:27
    InterviewThe Interview
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    02:00
    Interest in Civil RightsWeb Exclusive
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    00:41
    SegregationWeb Exclusive
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    00:57
    The ParkInterview Excerpt
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    00:48
    Teaching on the BattlefieldInterview Excerpt
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    Milestones

    Milestones

    My road in life has been direct.
    Discrimination was a daily part of life when she was growing up in Birmingham, Alabama.
    Hometown nicknamed "Bombingham" because of the consequences for anyone questioning the status quo.
    Studied history and political science at Talladega College and earned a master's in urban studies.
    Interested in teaching from a young age; taught high school at the height of civil rights movement.
    Worked in public policy and top-level administration in New York and Washington D.C.
    Taught at the University of Alabama in Birmingham, where a community service award is named for her.
    Helped create the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.
    Says: You owe it to yourself to figure out how you can make it better for the next generation.
    Education

    Education

    highschool
    High School
    undergrad
    Bachelor
    History, General
    Talladega College
    undergrad
    Bachelor
    Political Science and Government, General
    Talladega College
    graduate
    Graduate
    Urban Studies/Affairs
    Occidental College
    Career

    Career

    Founding President

    I work to teach the next generation about civil and human rights by preserving and telling the Birmingham story.

    Career Roadmap

    Roadmap
    My work combines:
    My work combines:
    Non-Profit Organizations
    Non-Profit Organizations
    Politics
    Politics
    Upholding a Cause and Belief
    Upholding a Cause and Belief