Odessa's Open Road
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Odessa Woolfolk Highlight (0:54)
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Interview (5:27)
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The Park (0:57)
Interview Excerpt -
Teaching on the Battlefield (0:48)
Interview Excerpt -
Interest in Civil Rights (2:00)
Web Exclusive -
Segregation (0:41)
Web Exclusive
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INTERVIEWED BY:
First Gen Roadtrip
ODESSA WOOLFOLK
Founding President
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
“I don't think anybody who has been successful has had a pain-free life. Pain, embarrassment, falling on your face--those are motivators.”
INTERESTS:
Non-Profit Organizations Politics
THEMES DISCUSSED:
Self-Reflection Choices Conflict Courage Education Values Culture Beliefs & Faith
FOUNDATION:
BIOGRAPHY:
- 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.