POWERGRAMS

"Give honor to whom honor is due." That's the philosophy Donna Cope holds close while writing for Powergrams magazine and other Alabama Power publications, especially as it pertains to the company's employees and retirees. That belief won her the Energizers' Sam Booker Award, presented by state president Bob O'Daniel in appreciation of articles Cope has written about the retiree service organization and its members. The award has been presented since 1998 to an employee who has gone beyond the call of duty and embodies the organization's core values. "When I thought about this year's award, I instantly thought of Donna Cope," said state board member Becky York. "Her commitment and hard work have been outstanding. She writes such kind and wonderful articles on local and state levels for Energizers. She works hard to get the facts correct and presents the real spirit of the people she writes about. "I knew the late Mr. Sam Booker personally," York said. "He was a true gentleman and was devoted to Energizers in every way. I think Mr. Booker would approve of the nomination of an employee who does their job exceptionally well with a smile and consistently represents Alabama Power and Energizers in a positive manner. Donna is the epitome of what Mr. Booker believed in." York met Cope at an Energizers board meeting years ago. Cope presents Energizers and chapter activities in a positive manner, York said. Energizers board members agreed that, through her interviews and research, Cope captures the essence of each person she writes about. "In every Energizer article written by Donna, you will feel her enthusiasm and concern," York said. "Her stories reveal the kindness and friendliness about a person. The variety of articles she writes reinforces the idea that retirees are energetic and active and ain't dead yet." Cope flew to Washington, D.C., with the Tuscaloosa Rotary Honor Flight Club, to honor west Alabama veterans at the Vietnam Wall and tour other memorials. Cope interviewed and photographed many of the 165 participants. "When Donna was invited to go on the trip to Washington, which included Alabama Power retiree veterans and volunteers, she didn't hesitate on accepting the invitation to cover the event," York said. "It's things like this that make her so special. She has a gift for talking with people. She works hard to find good stories to write about." In October 2018, Cope won a Silver Quill award from the International Association of Business Communicators Southern Region for her Powergrams article about the Tuscaloosa Honor Flight. O'Daniel said that, for more than 12 years, Cope has supported Energizers by attending local and state meetings, and providing story coverage. She enjoys talking with retirees about their work with Energizers and their achievements on behalf of Alabama Power. Cope and Retiree Coordinator Don Franklin discuss articles for Powergrams and other news vehicles for Energizers chapters and the state organization. "Talking with our Energizers retirees is something I really enjoy," said Cope, who earned a bachelor's degree in communications from UAB. "I love hearing their stories about their work with the company, especially from the very early years. "Alabama Power was built on the hard work and efforts of our retirees," said Cope, who has worked with the company for 27 years. "Talking with our Energizers, they always impart these little nuggets of knowledge. "I always leave with the realization that our retirees poured their blood, sweat and tears into Alabama Power," she said. "They are great people. It's so evident that they love this company and continue to demonstrate that by working with the Energizers." At UAB, Cope took a writing class that focused on the nuclear industry and included a tour of Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant in Dothan. She said that was "almost a foreshadowing" of some 15 years later, when she interviewed former company President Joe Farley for Powergrams and Shorelines magazine articles. At the time, Farley was an attorney for Balch & Bingham LLC. "I never dreamed that I'd someday talk with Mr. Farley for our corporate publications," Cope said. "That's what I love about my job – it gives me a chance to learn about our employees and retirees. It's fun and interesting to hear about what other people do. I want to help share the stories of the people who have done so much for Alabama Power." She said receiving the Booker award was totally unexpected. "It means so much to me because I've talked with and worked closely with many of our Energizers throughout the years," she said. Cope wins Sam Booker Award Booker Award is presented annually to an employee who aids the Energizers. 24

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