Alabama Women’s Hall of Fame welcomes 3 inductees who helped shape the state’s history

The Alabama Women’s Hall of Fame welcomed three new remarkable inductees during a ceremony at the University of West Alabama on March 5: Lenora Pate, Lt. Col. Sara Narcissa Harris and the Mothers of Gynecology. 

Read on to learn more about these inspiring women.

Lenora Pate—a leader in law + public policy

The Alabama Women’s Hall of Fame was established in the 1970s and recognizes women whose achievements have helped shape the state and nation. Lenora Pate is the perfect example.

From growing up in north Birmingham’s Inglenook neighborhood to graduating salutatorian from Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law in 1985, Lenora was already setting the bar high—especially considering she did it all while raising two kids on her own. That determination would go on to fuel her career, breaking barriers and redefining what leadership looks like in Alabama.

Here are her most notable achievements: 

• First woman to serve as Director of Alabama’s Department of Industrial Relations (1994)
• First woman to run for Alabama governor since the 1960s (1998)
• Practiced law for 35+ years at Sirote and Permutt (now Dentons)
• Named Best Lawyers Health Care Lawyer of the Year (2016 + 2021)
• Recognized as Best Lawyer in America for Health Care Law for 14 years straight
• Advocated for anti-smoking laws + public health initiatives
• Helped shape UAB’s Kirklin Clinic, leaving a lasting impact on healthcare in Alabama

Lenora died in 2021 at the age of 72.

Lt. Col. Sara Narcissa Harris

Born in Wilcox County’s Possum Bend, Sara Narcissa Harris became one of the most decorated female service members in American history. 

After graduating from Montevallo College (now the University of Montevallo) in 1942, she began a distinguished military career where she served in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. 

Some of Harris’ biggest achievements noted by the University of West Alabama include:

• Served in the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps and later the U.S. Air Force
• Became the first female base commander in a combat zone in Saigon
• Earned numerous honors, including the Bronze Star Medal and Vietnam Service Medal
• Retired in 1968 as America’s most decorated female service member

After retiring, Harris returned to Wilcox County. Here she led historic preservation efforts and helped the Wilcox Historical Society. 

She died in 2022 at the age of 102. 

Mothers of Gynecology

The third inductee into the Alabama Women’s Hall of Fame didn’t just go to one person, but many who became known as the Mothers of Gynecology. 

This collective of women—most notably Anarcha, Betsey, Lucy—were part of the Alabama Fistula Experiments conducted in Montgomery between 184 and 1857, which contributed to the advancement of modern gynecology. 

Though these women endured profound hardship, they also created supportive communities of care during their recovery where many learned medical skills and assisted in caring for others. This helped shape early patient-centered care models that are still reflected in medical practices today.

Let’s give these new inductees into the Alabama Women’s Hall of a Fame a round of applause!

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