Birmingham trailblazer Lenora Pate inducted into Alabama Women’s Hall of Fame

Birmingham is celebrating one of its own! Lenora Pate was officially inducted into the Alabama Women’s Hall of Fame on March 5, along with more state inductees during a March 5 ceremony at the University of West Alabama.

Here’s a look at her remarkable achievements in law, politics and healthcare, and why her story continues to inspire across Alabama and beyond. 

From Birmingham to a statewide impact

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.

Honoring more remarkable Alabama women

New 2026 Alabama Women’s Hall of Fame inductees. (University of West Alabama / Facebook)

Lenora wasn’t the only remarkable honoree this year. The Alabama Hall of Fame also recognized:

• Lt. Col. Sara Narcissa Harris, a decorated military leader 
• Mothers of Gynecology, a collective of women whose resilience and experiences helped lay the foundation for modern gynecology.

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

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