delighted to spotlight each TrailblazHer and those to come.
V.I.R.T.U.E. stands for Vessels Imparting and Restoring Temples to Uncontestable Excellence.
From that mission statement, V.I.R.T.U.E. has developed into a powerhouse of awareness and empowerment for women, according to the founder of the organization, Deidra Green.
“Our focus is to have the message of women’s health and empowerment ring loudly! Established to encourage and build women in leadership, V.I.R.T.U.E.’s vision is to provide informational and motivational programs designed to empower people and ignite change.”
As the founder of V.I.R.T.U.E. Inc., Green’s professional and personal life experience as a nurse (B.S.), a business executive (M.B.A.), the First Lady of More Than Conquerors Faith Church, an Elder, minister of the gospel, a wife and a mother has afforded her the opportunity to learn the art of balancing one’s career, family, and personal spiritual life.
Her insightful experiences have caused her to gain wisdom practices, which afford her the opportunity to release a message of hope, healing, and love. Green’s versatility has been featured on the local NBC affiliate station during their “Women In Business” special.
Green is a wife to Steve Green, the Senior Pastor of More Than Conquerors Faith Church (MTCFC)
in Birmingham, and mother of seven. “The name of our church comes from Romans 8:37. And it says that in spite of everything that’s going on in the world, a principle that is very much applicable for us today looking at society; we conquer, we win.”
She currently serves as Human Resource Administrator for MTCFC and Director of Women’s Ministry. Green enjoys encouraging women through ministry, sharing preventative health measures from her experience as a professional nurse and building a resourceful platform for women.
Established to encourage and build women in leadership, the TrailblazHer program plays a big part of Green’s work at V.I.R.T.U.E. “I’m personal and passionate about it. It’s definitely been a plus in value added to all of those that have experienced what V.I.R.T.U.E. has to offer.”
TrailblazHers honor the wonderful achievements of women in powerful positions. “From careers in medicine, media, entrepreneurship, policymaking, education, and more, women have led as changemakers. We are delighted to spotlight each TrailblazHer and those to come,” says Green.
Looking ahead, the nonprofit plans to expand its engagements for leadership development. V.I.R.T.U.E. will provide mentoring and networking opportunities
for women via an all-inclusive conference and more.
Additionally, V.I.R.T.U.E. plans to open the Naomi Bray Scholarship, which supports young aspiring women throughout Alabama. The scholarship will help young women pay for college tuition to any Historically Black College or University.
The scholarship is named in honor of Green’s mother. “My mom was a young, single parent of four children, two boys and two girls. And she worked in Mountain Brook, cleaning homes and that kind of thing, but she also instilled in us that belief that you can do anything,” Green says.
In addition to the TrailblazHers, for several years, Green has helped to bridge the gap between mother and daughter
relationships by spearheading one of the largest Mother/ Daughter gatherings in the Southeast.
Shortly after establishing V.I.R.T.U.E. to inspire women to take charge of their health, Green learned that a family friend and co-worker at the church had an aggressive form of breast cancer. The friend had delayed care and treatment due to fear and a desire to wait. A short time later, she lost her battle, leaving behind a husband and children. She was in her 30s.
The woman’s passing was a jolt to Green, who was even more determined in her fight against breast cancer so that the next woman’s struggle or story would be different. “We took it on, as a mission, as a passion and really as a promise that we would bring about awareness and encourage early detection.”
In 2019, Green started hosting Run with V.I.R.T.U.E. (RWV), a virtual 5K that recognizes Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, increases preventative health education, and raises funding for breast cancer treatments and awareness. To learn more you can visit runwithvirtue.com.
“Last year, we were able to raise money to support the funding of mammograms for uninsured women throughout Birmingham, while connecting with racers from Georgia to California. Additionally, we were able to allot funds towards treatments with the MD Anderson Cancer Center. Get your exams. Know your body. Know your numbers,” said Green.
“I have a desire to take the passion, the zeal, the excellence of my faith even further into the professional market for women. And just really let them know through the programming that we do, and through my spirit, that nothing is impossible.”
These TrailblazHers have all shown and proven that you have the capability to do and conquer all things.
Deidra Green is the founder of V.I.R.T.U.E. Inc., a non-profit developed to encourage and build women in leadership.Philippians 4:13. Amplified I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through him who strengthens and empowers me to fulfill His purpose. I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.
Allison Sanders Opera Singer and Adjunct Professor at Miles College
Best Advice:The best advice I was ever given was to not be afraid to take up space. I matter. My gift matters.
Birmingham native, Allison Sanders, studied at the Curtis Institute of Music where she earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Music.
While studying she performed roles such as Dido (Dido and Aeneas), Elettra (Idomeneo), Marguerite (Faust), and Cleopatra (Antony and Cleopatra). She also performed numerous roles with the Opera Company of Philadelphia, some of which include, Giovanna (Rigoletto), Clotilde (Norma), Bianca (The Rape of Lucretia), and Flora (La Traviata). She performed the title role in Joplin’s Treemonisha with New York City Opera and performed in The Female Chorus in The Rape of Lucretia with Opera Memphis.
Recently, Allison performed the role of Ruth (Pirates of Penzance) with Opera Birmingham. She has performed numerous orchestral works with The Lansing Symphony Orchestra, Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra, Buffalo Symphony Orchestra, The Chautauqua Orchestra, and the Alabama Symphony. She recently performed as a soloist at the closing ceremony of the World Games and performed three sold-out shows of a one woman opera called Driving while Black at Red Mountain Theater.
Allison works as an adjunct professor at Miles College and Samford University teaching voice. She is also the music teacher at Cornerstone Elementary and the Children’s Choir Director at Mountain Brook Presbyterian Church. The greatest joy of her life is being a mother to her handsome 5-year-old son, Noah.
Greatest Influence: My mom has been the biggest influence in my life. She has always been there to support me and push me in every aspect of my life. I wouldn’t be where I am today without her steadfastness.
Best Advice: My late father, Mike Slive, gave me some of the best advice that I still use today. “Treat everyone with the same kindness and respect regardless of their position in life or what they can do for you. Don’t speak unless you can improve on the silence.”
Anna’s position as Executive Director of the Mike Slive Foundation marries her background and experience with college sports and her love and respect for her father, former SEC Commissioner Mike Slive.
Appointed in 2019 as the Foundation’s first Executive Director, Anna serves with an incredible Board of Directors growing this foundation to become the global leader in the fight to eradicate prostate cancer.
She transitioned most recently from her role as vice president at the Colonnade Group where she oversaw
Greatest Influence: I recently lost my mother, and next month will be the five-year anniversary of my father’s passing. My parents were one of the biggest influences in my life. Mark Twain once said “My father was an amazing man. The older I got, the smarter he got.” I always loved that quote, and it certainly applies to me. My parents both lived the golden rule, treating others as they wanted to be treated. They taught me the power of kindness, generosity, love and respect.
development, sales, and marketing. She also served as the board president of the Mike Slive Foundation, helping to run the day-to-day operations. Prior to that, she was a director of marketing at IMG College. In 2007, she served as the executive director of the Atlanta Local Organizing Committee for the Division I NCAA Men’s Final Four. A job with the Georgia Tech Athletic Association brought her to Atlanta in 2004 after she completed her master’s degree at the University of Massachusetts.
Anna’s corporate experience includes marketing and advertising at both Arthur Andersen and Leo Burnett in Chicago. She is a graduate of Northwestern University. In her free time, Anna loves to cook, travel, and spend time with her husband, Judd Harwood, and their daughter, Abigail Slive Harwood.
Anna Slive Harwood, Executive Director Mike Slive FoundationGreatest Influence:
My husband has been a major influence in my life and success. He has provided emotional support, shared responsibility, and provided financial support. He has been the number one encouragement to help me pursue my dreams. When I first considered leaving my stable federal government career in 2015 to pursue my dream of starting a law firm, he was the first voice telling me I could do it!
April Collins, Personal Injury Lawyer, Owner of Collins Law LLC., Author
Best Advice: One of the best pieces of advice I received was from a dear friend and member of my church. Her advice: “Be excellent, not perfect.” After her advice, I realized striving for excellence was much more practical.
April H. Collins is a Personal Injury Attorney in Birmingham. She helps those who have been injured in car wrecks and trucking accidents. She also represents families who have lost loved ones due to another’s careless actions.
She is an Alabama State Bar Leadership Forum Alumni, Birmingham Bar Association Future Leaders Alumni, and Leadership Hoover Alumni. She is the past President of the Black Women Lawyers Association of Alabama and has been named Top Attorney by Birmingham magazine. She has served on several bar committees including the National Trial Lawyers Top 40 under 40 Executive and Magic City Bar Executive Committees. She is a founding member of HooverAHEAD, a grassroots organization committed to celebrating
diversity and promoting equity and inclusion throughout the City of Hoover.
April is the author of Only the Strong Thrive, a book that she describes as a faith-filled, inspirational, and motivational memoir. It was released in 2018 as Amazon’s #1 New Release and was on the Amazon best-seller list for weeks. She has also published a corresponding application journal, Thrive!
She is from Athens, AL where Athens’ Mayor proclaimed May 14, 2011, as April Houston Collins Day, while also presenting her with a key to the city. She is passionate about the Boys & Girls Club and its programs that help enhance the lives of children across America; she was even inducted into the North Alabama Boys & Girls Club Hall of Fame.
April is married to Quincy and has four children. She enjoys traveling, learning about different cultures, and trying new foods. She spends a lot of time with her family, going to the beach, and once participated in the TV game show Family Feud. You can connect with April by visiting acollinslaw.com.
Best Advice: The best advice that I have received was from my father, Daryl Starks, while I was in graduate school in Maryland. He would use Winston Churchill’s quote that “Success is not final; failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts” to remind me to continue the path to complete my studies regardless of the success and failures along the way.
Dr. Adrienne Starks is the founder of STREAM Innovations, a non-profit in Birmingham. She believed her biomedical training lacked significant representation of underrepresented minorities and women. This reality became the catalyst to promote scientific exploration and innovation for students to successfully pursue STEM careers in her home state of Alabama.
STREAM Innovations is committed to helping students develop and explore their passion in Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STREAM) by providing exposure, experiences, and engagement with high expectations for their success.
Dr. Starks was recently selected as an American Association for the Advancement of Science IF/THEN Ambassador. She has also been selected to be featured in the If Then She Can exhibit—a monumental exhibit of the most women statues ever assembled in one location, at one time.
Greatest Influence: I have had a number of major influences on my life that have contributed to my success. My parents have been a consistent source of support as I have made the transition from scientist to CEO. Dr. Freeman Hrabowski, former President of the University of Maryland Baltimore County, has had a significant influence on my life as my graduate school president and now mentor. He has set an example of excellence in STEM for students to pursue advanced degrees to solve complex problems globally.
Dr. Adrienne Starks, Founder of STREAM Innovations and IF/THEN Ambassador
Greatest Influence: My grandmother is who molded me into who I am today. She taught me what hard work means and to never quit. She showed me through her actions that being a mother and professional is possible.
Dr. Princess Thomas Williams Birmingham Breast Cancer Surgeon
Best Advice: If you do what you love, you will never work a day in your life.
Dr. Princess Thomas Williams is a Breast Surgeon for Birmingham Breast Care. Following her relocation from Birmingham to North Carolina in 2019, Dr. Princess built a thriving breast practice in Mooresville, North Carolina, where she has had the opportunity to treat both men and women with a variety of breast diseases, both cancerous and non-cancerous.
A member of American Society of Breast Surgeons and Society of Surgical Oncology, Dr. Princess is also a Fellow of
the American College of Surgeons, one of surgery’s highest honors. Having a commitment to excellence in breast cancer treatment and surgery, she is also hidden scar surgery certified.
Dr. Princess is an advocate for treating the whole person using an individualized and personalized approach for every single person. She is committed to providing women with breast cancer treatment options that suit their needs physically, emotionally, and spiritually, while never compromising the quality of care provided. Dr. Princess is dedicated to providing both proper and timely treatment which leads most women to go on and pursue rich and fulfilling lives.
Eboni Major, Food Scientist, First African American Whiskey Blender
Best Advice: The lazy man works twice as hard… has always been the best advice I received because of how it stuck with me. And it isn’t a race against time. Committing to your goals, and giving them 100 percent the first time, prevents time wasted from laziness and mistakes.
Eboni Major, the first African-American Whiskey Blender, began her career in 2015 with a degree in Food Science and Chemistry from Alabama A&M University. Eboni discovered her passion for creating quality products which led her to continue her education and pursue a Masters in Food Science. Midway through her graduate studies, an internship led to a full-time blending role and the rest was history.
Renowned in the bourbon community, Eboni created Bulleit’s Single Barrel Program, leaving her personal touch on a brand that has become a collector’s item for bourbon connoisseurs. Her most proud creation, Bulleit Blenders Select won #4 in the Whiskey Advocate’s Top 20 list of 2020.
As an American Whiskey expert, Eboni has invaluable experience in distillation, production, and warehouse management. Eboni has played a key role in leadership teams for multiple startup and large-scale distilleries across Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee.
In 2019, Eboni Major was responsible for the blending of the 2019 #1 Whiskey of the Year, George Dickel Bottled in Bond. Her blending portfolio and experience include brand homes of George Dickel, IW Harper, Blade & Bow, and several other US whiskies. She has earned over a dozen San Francisco Spirits Awards including several gold medals and won Diageo’s 2020 GLOBAL Craftsperson of the Year.
Greatest Influence- My mom has been a major influence on my life. She has always been so determined, intelligent, and selfless. As the first to graduate college from her family, she set the standard for me to achieve anything I wanted, understanding the tools are all within me. A very hard worker committed to the Birmingham Public Library system and Negro League growing up, she raised me to love and appreciate my roots. She continues to encourage me to stand up for what I believe in.
After leaving Kentucky, Eboni Major returned to her hometown of Birmingham. In December 2022, she released her first blend since Bulleit Blenders’ Select: Dread River Master Series—a fast selling limited batch.
Greatest Influence-
On a personal level, my incredible parents, who have always supported and encouraged me and my siblings, and are thankfully still living and influencing me. On a professional level, the incredible lawyer, Augusta Dowd, of White Arnold & Dowd in Birmingham, has influenced my life by encouraging me to be the best mom I can be while also being a great lawyer. It is hard balancing both, especially when your children are younger and very involved in school, sports, and other activities. She provided a road map for me, and I am very grateful for her.
Judge Martha Reeves Cook, District Judge – 10th Judicial Circuit
Best Advice: Some of the best advice I received in my younger life, interestingly, came in the form of negative advice prior to my entering law school –“Don’t go to law school. You’ll regret it.” “Why do you want to go to law school?” This “advice” made me more determined to enter law school and become a successful lawyer, mediator, and now a sitting judge.
Judge Martha Reeves Cook became a District Court Judge in Jefferson County, Alabama, in March 2019, upon appointment to fill the remaining term of a retiring judge. She won her election in November 2020 and is now serving her first full 6-year term. Prior to her appointment, Judge Cook practiced civil law for over 20 years. A few years prior to her appointment, Judge Cook owned and managed, Martha Reeves Cook, LLC, a mediation firm where she mediated cases involving foreclosures and other real estate-related issues,
divorce, and personal injuries.
Judge Cook is an active member of the women’s sections of the Alabama State Bar and the Birmingham Bar Association. She is also a member of the Alabama Supreme Court Commission on Dispute Resolution, the administrative arm of the Alabama Center for Dispute Resolution. Judge Cook and her dear friend and colleague, Dean Cassandra Adams, speak often on topics of diversity, inclusion, intentionality, and conflict resolution.
A native of Selma, Alabama, and a graduate of Selma High School, Judge Cook received her Bachelor of Arts from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College in Lynchburg, VA. She obtained her J.D. from Cumberland School of Law in Birmingham. Her greatest accomplishment, however, is being a mom to her two grown sons.
Greatest Influence: There are two people who have been the most influential in my life and my success in my business. The first is my mom. She has always been my biggest supporter and champion! My entire life she has built me up and reminded me that I can do whatever I put my mind to! The second is my husband Murray. He has been a bigger believer in me than I have been in myself in starting and running a business! I could not do what I do day today without his encouragement and support.
Kim Lee, Founder and CEO of Forge
Best Advice: Being a small business owner is hard! There are many highs, but there are also many lows. Everything that you go through is a perfect gift from the Lord and it is exactly what you need at the moment. “We don’t know why you are going through this very hard time, but we do know it is exactly what you need right now.” This reminder of truth does not make the hard times easier, but it does give me hope and assurance as I am going through the really difficult times.
Kim Lee is the founder and CEO of Forge, a co-working space in the heart of downtown Birmingham. Her passion for business as a service, hospitality, community and economic growth of the city drove her to open Forge in September 2017, as a place to provide an avenue for entrepreneurs and small business owners to thrive through growing their businesses in a way that was previously unavailable in Birmingham.
Forge has developed another layer in the ecosystem for business owners and entrepreneurs providing a platform for growth and advancement of these smaller businesses in a way
that was not present previously. In 2018, Forge was a Small Business of the Year Finalist.
Kim founded Birmingham Co–Working Collective as a way to bring together and provide community and support for all of the co–working spaces in Birmingham. Kim is also the host of the podcast Building Birmingham Together, where she interviews organization leaders in our city bringing to light the amazing work that leaders in our city are doing and the lessons they learned along the way. In December 2021 Kim graduated from the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program.
Kim serves on the executive board of Tech Birmingham, the Small Business Council for the City of Birmingham and on the Advisory Board for the Global Workspace Association. Kim is also involved in mentoring young entrepreneurs through several different schools in Birmingham.
Kim was honored in 2017 as Birmingham Business Journal Women to Watch and as 2019 finalist for CEO of the year. Kim was recognized in the list of Top 40 Under 40 in 2020.
Greatest Influence:
My late grandmother
Jimmie Elliott is a major influence on me. She grew up in the historic Smithfield community and became a mother and widow at a very young age. She had to navigate life in Jim Crow South with mouths to feed and no husband by her side. Despite her thorny path, she achieved many professional successes and was a strong woman of faith. I am of the stock of Jimmie Elliott, which means for me, that no matter what comes my way, I can achieve and ultimately win.
Marie Sutton
Public Information Officer for the City of Birmingham
Best Advice: The best advice I have received is “Do it afraid.” I am naturally an introvert and often battle the temptation to cower over into a quiet corner, to not act, speak or move. I have learned, however, to push past fear (of being out front, of speaking up, and of walking by faith). I understand that fear will come, but it will not win over me, my voice, my purpose and my destiny.
Appointed by Mayor Randall L. Woodfin, veteran communicator Marie Sutton is the Public Information Officer for the City of Birmingham. As Public Information Officer, Marie serves as a senior communications official in the Office of Public Information, interacting with the
public and news media.
Marie has accomplished an extensive career as a journalist, an author, and a public relations professional. She has worked as a freelance writer, reported for The Birmingham News, represented several organizations in public relations, and has been employed at the University of Alabama at Birmingham for more than 10 years. She most recently served as Director of Student Affairs Marketing and Communications at UAB. Sutton is the author of “The A.G. Gaston Motel: A Historic Landmark,” published in 2014. Sutton received her bachelor’s degree from Stillman College and a master’s degree from UAB.
Nadia Gramby CEO and Owner
of Crown of Glory Birth Services
Best Advice: Be careful to share your energy with people that are skilled enough to receive it.
Nadia Gramby is the CEO and Owner of Crown of Glory Birth Services. She is currently preparing to take the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) exam in May to become a licensed Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) in June of 2023. She will be the first Black CPM in Alabama since the 1980s. Nadia has had the privilege of attending hundreds of births while training to become a home birth midwife.
Nadia answered the call to birth work as a doula, childbirth educator, placenta encapsulation specialist, and doula business strategist in 2018. She believes that midwifery care is a crucial step in empowering parents to raise empowered children who will change the course of the history of Black Communities. She’s dedicated her life’s work to the care, protection, and preservation of families, particularly Black Families. She’s been energized by the need to combat the maternal health crisis disproportionately affecting Black women and infants.
As a midwife, Nadia will provide prenatal care, women’s health services, home births, postpartum care, childbirth education, and doula mentorship. She will provide individualized, compassionate, personal, and culturally competent maternity care.
Nadia believes in the importance of leading with the Spirit, knowledge, and healing of God in maternal care. She strives to eradicate inequities within healthcare nationwide and particularly here in Alabama by preserving the legacy of Black birth workers and addressing the crisis that Black birthing people face in the U.S.
Nadia has a Bachelor of Science in Human Resources Management from Faulkner University and studied Psychology at Alabama A & M University. She honors and cherishes the beautiful calling as a wife, mother,and friend.
Greatest Influence: There are so many people that have had a major influence on my life. I’ve had the blessing of being loved and impacted by many. The two people that have made the most impact on my life are my husband Shamar and 15-year-old son Khalil. My husband and I have been partners in life for 20 years and he’s seen all of my trials and triumphs. He’s always supported and helped me to achieve success in my personal, spiritual, and professional life. Becoming a mother to our son was the most transformative experience of my life. The way that they both have shown me genuine unconditional love, support, and accountability has helped me to simply be me. Having a safe space at home with them (and goldendoodle Kayenne) is the biggest blessing to come back to, after creating safe spaces for many families throughout Birmingham and surrounding areas as they prepare for the birth of their babies.
