Class of 2023: Four leaders inducted into Tuscaloosa County Civic Hall of Fame

Four new members of the Tuscaloosa County Civic Hall of Fame were inducted Thursday during a ceremony at the Tuscaloosa River Market.

Each year, the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama honors civic leaders and trailblazers who have made an impact on the quality, livability and economic progress of the Tuscaloosa community. The Civic Hall of Fame began 23 years ago on the 100th anniversary of the formation of the Chamber of Commerce.

More: New Chamber CEO Kyle South hopes to bolster the region, Tuscaloosa hub

The objective of the award is to honor exceptional people who have made significant, long-term contributions to the overall development of Tuscaloosa County.

This year's Civic Hall of Fame inductees were community activist Christine S. Coleman, longtime banker Bev Leigh, III, longtime University of Alabama administrator Pamela Hughey Parker and Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Ellen W. Potts.

Here's a closer look at the 2023 honorees:

Christine S. Coleman

Coleman is credited for serving as a positive force in civic and charitable activities in Tuscaloosa for many years. She became active in the civil rights and the voting rights movements in Tuscaloosa during the 1960s. She is passionate about ensuring equality for all citizens. As an activist, Coleman's civic and community engagements range from volunteering to political activism. Coleman is known for her commitment to promoting voters education and registration. She has assisted many citizens to become registered to vote.

Coleman's past leadership roles include board membership with: Maude Whatley Health Services, Benjamin Barnes YMCA and the McDonald Hughes Center. She was the past commissioner for the Tuscaloosa Housing Authority. Currently, she is serving as president of the American Legion Auxiliary Department of Alabama District 22, Treasurer for the Tuscaloosa Chapter of the Alabama Democratic Conference and Chairperson for Tuscaloosa Affordable Housing.

The 92-year-old Coleman said she is happy that the Chamber has recognized her longtime activism in Tuscaloosa County.

"I'm glad they finally recognized me," Coleman said Thursday.

Coleman said she is still very active in the community and plans to continue advocating to make the community better.

Bev Leigh III

Leigh served in the U.S. Air Force and had a successful 40-year career in mortgage banking where he became well-known for supporting local civic groups and charities through fundraising and community service. He served 35 years as a board member for the West Alabama Chapter of the American Red Cross. Leigh is credited with leading the Red Cross in the response during and after the deadly April 27, 2011, tornado that struck Tuscaloosa. In 2018, he was selected by the Community Foundation of West Alabama as a Pillar of West Alabama.

Leigh is an original organizer of the 2002 Annual Alabama Governor's One-Shot Turkey Hunt, which was started in Tuscaloosa to recruit industry for Alabama, retain existing Alabama industry and promote Alabama tourism. The hunt been and continues to be a strong economic driver for West Alabama and the state of Alabama. Leigh continues to serve on the Governor's Hunt Committee and is now chairing the Live and Silent Auction Committee for Gov. Kay Ivey.

Leigh said being inducted into the Civic Hall of Fame was "humbling."

"The other inductees and I are grateful for all of the attention for doing things that we enjoy in the community," Leigh said.

Leigh said his late father, Col. Beverly M. Leigh Jr., inspired him to be involved in the community and help those in need.

"It was instilled in me early in life," Leigh said.

Pamela H. Parker

During her 25-year tenure at the University of Alabama, Parker rose through the ranks in the Office of Advancement and was named vice president of the division in 2007.

In that capacity, she led the most successful capital fundraising campaign for that time and was recognized as the Alabama Fundraising Professional of the Year and recipient of the University of Alabama Distinguished Alumna Award, as well as numerous other honors.

She played a key role as fundraising chair for the Tuscaloosa Bicentennial celebration in 2019. She was selected as Tuscaloosa’s Citizen of the Year in 2019 and was named a Stillman College First Female Award recipient the same year.

Parker said Thursday that she was honored to be one of the four new members inducted into the Civic Hall of Fame.

"I love Tuscaloosa, I love being part of this community and will do anything to make it better," Parker said.

Ellen Potts

Potts currently serves as executive director for Habitat for Humanity of Tuscaloosa. Before that role, she served on Habitat’s homeowner selection committee until 2013.

During her tenure, the organization was a key player in Tuscaloosa’s recovery from the devastation of the April 27, 2011 tornado, with more than 100 new homes constructed and over 500 existing homes repaired since the storm. Habitat Tuscaloosa has acquired more than 125 lots under Potts' leadership, including 75 in the last two years.

Over the years, Potts has taught classes at the University of Alabama. She also has been recognized in several ways including: the Nick’s Kids Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award, the Birmingham-Southern College Distinguished Alumni Award, the Rotary Club of Tuscaloosa Rotary Rose Award, the Edith Dailey Walton Outstanding Humanitarian Award, and the Association of the U.S. Army (West Alabama Chapter) Outstanding Women of the Year Award.

Potts said it was a "tremendous honor" to be inducted alongside other members of theTuscaloosa County Civic Hall of Fame.

"I'm very humbled to be in such illustrious company," Potts said.

Potts also thanked her Habit for Humanity team for their hard work and contributions to the community.

Plaques honoring the 2023 inductees of the Civic Hall of Fame will be added to a permanent display at Government Plaza in downtown Tuscaloosa.

Reach Jasmine Hollie at JHollie@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Four leaders inducted into Tuscaloosa County Civic Hall of Fame