skip to main content
Odessa Woolfolk
Odessa Woolfolk
00:55

Odessa Woolfolk

Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

Birmingham, AL USA

"I don't think anybody who has been successful has had a pain-free life. Pain, embarrassment, falling on your face--those are motivators."

Career Roadmap

Odessa's work combines: Non-Profit Organizations, Politics, and Upholding a Cause and Belief

See more careers and stories that connect to your interests.

Take Roadmap Quiz

Day In The Life

Founding President

I work to teach the next generation about civil and human rights by preserving and telling the Birmingham story.

Skills & Education

Here's the path I took:

  • High School

  • Bachelor's Degree

    History, General

    Talladega College

  • Bachelor's Degree

    Political Science and Government, General

    Talladega College

  • Graduate Degree

    Urban Studies/Affairs

    Occidental College

Life & Career Milestones

My path in life has been direct

  • 1.

    Discrimination was a daily part of life when she was growing up in Birmingham, Alabama.

  • 2.

    Hometown nicknamed "Bombingham" because of the consequences for anyone questioning the status quo.

  • 3.

    Studied history and political science at Talladega College and earned a master's in urban studies.

  • 4.

    Interested in teaching from a young age; taught high school at the height of civil rights movement.

  • 5.

    Worked in public policy and top-level administration in New York and Washington D.C.

  • 6.

    Taught at the University of Alabama in Birmingham, where a community service award is named for her.

  • 7.

    Helped create the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.

  • 8.

    Says: You owe it to yourself to figure out how you can make it better for the next generation.