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
By Roadtrip NationOdessa Woolfolk
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
High School
Career
Founding President
I work to teach the next generation about civil and human rights by preserving and telling the Birmingham story.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Non-Profit Organizations
Politics
Upholding a Cause and Belief
Interviewed By
Why Not Us
Being the first in your family to attend college is daunting, but rewarding.
Follow the journeys of four young people-all first in their families to go to college-as they road-trip across the country to interview inspiring individuals who were also first in their families to pursue higher education.
After gaining wisdom and guidance from trail-blazing leaders-including Anna Maria Chávez, CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA, Grammy Award-winner John Legend, and Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz-the Roadtrippers are emboldened to embrace the opportunities ahead and ask "why shouldn't I succeed?"
