It is very doubtful that any state in the nation can claim a female governor and a female chief executive of their state's leading business organization.
Kay Ivey became governor on January 14 after being elected to her own four-year term in November. Ivey had previously been the state treasurer for eight-years and lieutenant governor for six years. She was serving an unexpired term as governor for two years prior to her election last year.
On January 2, Katie Boyd Britt took over the reins of the state’s most powerful political organization, the Business Council of Alabama. She is the first woman to serve as the BCA’s president and chief executive officer. She is not only the first woman CEO, but she is also, by far, the youngest CEO in BCA history.
Britt comes to the BCA from U.S. Senator Richard Shelby’s office where she has been our senior senator’s chief of staff. Alabama Power CEO Mark Crosswhite, who chairs the BCA’s executive committee said, “As the top staff member for Senator Shelby, she has worked daily with businesses and elected officials from Alabama and the country.
Britt has always been a bright star on the Alabama political stage. She grew up in Enterprise and served as president of the Student Government Association at the University of Alabama, then she graduated from the University of Alabama School of Law. Before becoming Shelby's chief of staff, she worked in several posts in his office, including press secretary. She is married to Wesley Britt, a former University of Alabama and professional football player, and they have two children.
As Senator Shelby’s top advisor for the last five years, she has headed his Judicial Nomination Task Force. Britt has spearheaded the effort to recommend young talent for the eight vacant judicial seats that serve Alabama on the Federal Circuit and District Court benches.
As Senator Shelby's chief of staff, Britt has managed all of Shelby’s DC and state operations, including matters relating to personnel throughout his six offices. She has overseen an administrative annual budget of almost $4 million. In addition, as chief of staff, she has been our senior Senator’s ambassador before constituents’ community leaders, industry association heads, and senior executives across our state and nation.
Upon taking the BCA reins, Britt said, “My heart is in Alabama. Our state has made significant progress in recent years, and I am honored to have been chosen to lead the BCA during this time of growth.”
Ivey and Britt are not the only female governmental leaders in Alabama. Twinkle Cavanaugh serves as president of the Alabama Public Service Commission. She has been a state leader for decades and is a former chair of the Alabama Republican Party.
Our seven-member congressional delegation boasts two female delegates to Congress. Given the fact that we only have seven congressional seats, two out of seven is a pretty good percentage.
Congresswoman Terri Sewell has represented the Seventh District of Alabama for close to a decade. She is on a fast leadership track in the Democratic House Caucus. She is a Harvard-educated lawyer who was born and raised in Selma. Her sprawling district includes Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Montgomery, and all of the Black Belt.
Congresswoman Martha Roby has represented southeast Alabama’s Second District for close to a decade. She is also on a fast track within her party's ranks. She is a favorite among the House Republican leadership.
Therefore, folks, Alabama does not take a back seat to any state when it comes to females in leadership roles in government.
Gov. Kay Ivey came out strongly in favor of a gasoline tax to meet the state’s infrastructure needs in her inaugural address. If successful, she will not only go down in history as the first female Republican governor and first female governor elected in her own right, she will also leave a legacy of improving Alabama economically for decades to come.
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