Issue link: https://alabamapower.uberflip.com/i/1066955
12 broke barriers at Alabama Power career. I tried to listen and understand the other person's perspective, whether that individual was an external or internal customer." Aer nearly two years, Knight began working as a Human Resources job analyst and later moved to Salary Administration. In 1985, she became the first African- American woman to graduate from the Birmingham School of Law. Knight got her first taste of leadership in the late 1980s as Human Resources supervisor in Western Division. Over the next few years, she moved up through various roles until she became general manager of Supply Chain and then, in 2003, vice president of Public Relations. "When Steve Spencer (then executive vice president) asked me if I would be interested in the job, I was blown away. I didn't consider myself a public relations expert," Knight said. "But he said, 'I don't need you to be a public relations expert. I need you to be a leader.'" Knight said those years were challenging but, at the same time, rewarding. She is especially proud that, thanks to her influence, other officers began to realize the importance of "having PR at the table" to ensure effective communication. In 2010, Knight became vice president of Birmingham Division, where she remained until she retired six years later. She said that job brought her full circle, allowing her once again to work with end-use customers. "I always wanted to be the example and behave in a way that was beneficial to other minority women coming aer me," said Knight. "A dear friend of mine told me you need to work the people in the basement as well as the people at the top because they can make you or break you. I tried to build relationships at all levels in the company, and that's my advice to young women today." These four were among a number of African-Americans who reached leadership positions. Between 1977, the first full year for which data are available, and 1986, employment of blacks grew 23.5 percent, with the fastest growing segment in managerial and professional ranks. Faush said it best: Alabama Power employees may be different in many ways, but they are still a family. "I used to say if we could harness the spirit and camaraderie that exhibits itself when we are focused on a common goal such as storm restoration, we would forget about all the things that separate us, and we'd have a much greater sense of purpose. Life would be beer for the entire community," said Faush. by Carla Davis Holmes Faush Grooms Knight