Celebrating 5 influential women from Birmingham, including Nina Miglionico

Throughout Birmingham’s 153-year history, generations of exceptional women have had a positive impact on the city we know and love today.

In honor of Women’s History Month, Bham Now took a closer look at 5 inspiring women from Birmingham—read on to learn more!

1. Nina Miglionico

Known to many as “Miss Nina,” Nina Miglionico was a trailblazing lawyer and public servant in The Magic City. Born to Italian immigrants living in Birmingham, Nina Miglionico completed her law studies at the age of 22 and became one of the first women in Alabama to establish their own law practice.

In 1963, Nina Miglionico became the first woman to serve on the Birmingham City Council, where she fought to repeal child labor laws and the poll tax, and fought for the rights of women in Alabama.

Check out this past Bham Now article to learn more about Miss Nina.

2. Mary Anderson

On days like today, you can thank Birmingham inventor Mary Anderson for your ability to drive safely in the rain! In the early 1900s, Mary Anderson invented and secured a patent for the first windshield wiper.

Fun fact: Mary Anderson is buried in Birmingham’s Elmwood Cemetary along with other Alabama legends, such as Paul “Bear” Bryant and Eddie Kendricks.

3. Bessie Estell

The daughter of Bethel Baptist Church pastor Milton Sears, Bessie Sears Estell was a renowned educator in the Birmingham City Schools system. Bessie—who referred to teaching as the greatest profession in the world—worked as both a teacher and principal in several city schools, and served in several educational associations.

In 1975, Bessie Sears Estell became the first African-American woman elected to the Birmingham City Council.

Fun fact: Bessie Estell Park near UAB is named in honor of her.

4. Carrie Tuggle

Born into slavery, Carrie Tuggle married and moved to Birmingham after emancipation. In Birmingham, she founded the Tuggle Institute as a place to house and educate impoverished African-American children. The Institute helped improve the lives of hundreds of Birmingham’s children, with alumni such as A.G. Gaston, Erskine Hawkins and Fess Whatley.

5. Virginia Foster Durr

Born in Birmingham in 1903, Virginia Foster Durr was an activist and proponent for civil rights. Despite her upbringing in the Deep South, Virginia Foster Durr started to question segregation after being forced to eat meals with students of different races in her college dining hall.

Later in life, Virginia joined and formed groups to fight segregation, where she became close friends with many prominent civil rights leaders. In fact, Virginia helped bail her close friend Rosa Parks out of jail after refusing to give up her seat on the bus to a white passenger.

Click here to learn more about influential women in Alabama!

Which influential Birmingham women did we miss? Tag us @bhamnow to let us know!