Commending the remarkable accomplishments and dedicated service to their communities, Birmingham Business Journal awarded the YWCA Central Alabama’s Junior Board President Kitty Rogers Brown and YWhisper Chair Erin Stephenson with spots on their annual “40 Under 40” list. The BBJ’s award is one of the most prestigious honors for up-and-coming Birmingham professionals.
Along with her dedicated leadership as the President of the YWCA Central Alabama’s Junior Board, Brown is also an outstanding attorney committed to social justice. White Arnold & Dowd, the law firm Brown belongs to, has an impressive case history which includes representing the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama in a federal court case to prevent enforcement of Alabama’s controversial immigration law, HB-56. We are very proud of Brown’s accomplishments and perseverance in social justice cases and in organizations such as the YWCA.
Often described as “civically obsessed,” Erin Stephenson made the Top 40 list due to her devoted energy to create positive change in our city as Vice President of Development at the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham. Stephenson’s accomplishments with the Foundation include her involvement with the tornado relief effort, Bama Rising to secure a $5 million gift—the biggest gift from a living donor in the foundation’s history. Stephenson is also Chair of YWhisper, the YW’s committee which promotes conversation of “uncomfortable topics” such as homelessness, domestic violence and racism among young professionals. On May 17, YWhisper will be hosting Walk-A-Mile, an event in which men will literally walk a mile in women’s shoes to symbolically support the adversities faced by many women. The event will raise awareness and funds for the YWCA Domestic Violence Services.
“We are absolutely thrilled and honored to have two of our Junior Board members on this highly coveted list,” said YWCA Central Alabama Board President Kathryn Harbert. “Both Kitty Rogers Brown and Erin Stephenson do tremendous work for our community, and Birmingham is a better place because of both of them.”
The objective of the YWCA’s Junior Board is to build awareness and support of the YW in the younger segment of the adult population in the Birmingham community and to be good will ambassadors for the YWCA. The Junior Board is a diverse group of young women committed to supporting the YW.
The YWCA extends great amounts of gratitude and congratulations to Brown and Stephenson. We are very proud to have their support and hard work. Thanks to both for their dedication and time.
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