YWCA Central Alabama congratulates Joan Witherspoon-Norris, who received the Vulcan Community Awards’ 2019 Servant Leadership recognition.
The Vulcan Park Foundation chose the YW’s Senior Director of Social Justice as one of this year’s 13 honorees who exemplify civic pride, leadership and progress in five award categories: Lifetime Achievement, Newcomer, Hero, Game Changer and Servant Leadership.
Angela Wier of Vulcan Park Foundation said this year’s slate of honorees “inspire all of us to engage in the community and to serve others. It is a privilege to share their stories.”
Witherspoon-Norris is the founding director of YWCA Central Alabama’s Social Justice Department, which implements a range of programs that promote the YW’s mission of eliminating racism and empowering women. The department’s work includes Anytown Alabama, Heritage Panels and Peace Birmingham, social justice programs for middle and high school students; a 42-member AmeriCorps program; and the YWCA’s public policy advocacy efforts, which have focused on legislative solutions to the problem of predatory lending in Alabama. She has worked with the YW since 2007.

Witherspoon-Norris was recognized at the 6th Annual Vulcans Community Awards dinner on Nov. 7 at The Club in Homewood.