POWERGRAMS

10 Atkins' history of Alabama Power was named Alabama's best history book. She had beaten several men to the punch for the history doctorate. It was just another notch on the extraordinary educational path of a woman who would spend 37 years teaching history at Auburn, Samford and UAB. She was never intimidated by the male domination of the college teaching profession. "Some women went along with all of that because it was more comfortable than the confrontation," she said. "I was not a strong feminist but believed we should have opportunities and not be held down because we were women. It wasn't like every woman was pregnant and pushing babies in a stroller." In the nation's bicentennial year, for the eighth class of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, Atkins became the first female inducted. She remains one of only 17 women to earn the state's highest honor for athletes among 377 members. "It was absolutely stunning. I was so moved and absolutely surprised," she said, "but there weren't many women involved in sports for years after the 1920s; the Depression ended athletics for many women until after World War II." In 1976 she became the first female senior judge of the American Water Ski Association, then two years later was named its first female board member. In 2004, Atkins was presented the AWSA Award of Distinction. But teaching was her lifelong goal and Atkins' original aim was to instruct young children. After college, Atkins realized she could accomplish more in a shorter amount of time by teaching older students. Educational and athletic accomplishments merged for Atkins in 1986, when female athletes at AU went to university executives complaining there was no award to honor the top sportswoman, similar to the Cliff Hare Award for males. Atkins was director of Pebble Hill, the Auburn Center for the Arts and Humanities founded under her leadership in 1985. Athletics Committee Chairman Joe Boland asked to meet her there, and she anticipated him booking an upcoming event, so she set out the best silverware and crockery. When Boland arrived, he instead began describing the new Leah Rawls Atkins Award. "I was stunned, I was surprised, I was honored," she recalled. "I was so emotional that my eyes started watering. I didn't want them to see tears running down my cheeks, so I had to regain my composure." The greatest female athletes in Auburn University history since 1987 have hoped to add their names to the list of Atkins honorees for excellence in academics and athletics, who model leadership, integrity and courage. Winners include basketball stars Mae Ola Bolton and Ruthie Bolton; Celeste Troche, who became a pro golfer; national swimming champion Becky Short; Kerron Stewart, who won an Olympic silver medal; swimming world record holder Kara Denby; gymnast Krissy Voss, who became a Rhodes Scholar; and two-time soccer All- American Katy Frierson. In 2003, Atkins received a phone call from Alabama Power CEO Charles McCrary. He wanted a history book for the company centennial, which would follow up founder Tom Martin's 1952 book. Atkins agreed to write it, and soon after beginning work on the book, Hurricane Ivan struck, causing the most damage in company history as it knocked out power to 825,701 customers. "I woke up early, went out and got the newspaper," she recalled. "I had a 9 a.m. appointment with Charles and decided to go in anyway. George said, 'Why in the world are you going down there today? You'll just be in the way.' I said, 'If he's busy, I'll go work in my office.' Getting there early, I saw an entirely different scene than before. These people who I'd seen beautifully coiffured, in stylish clothes, high-heeled shoes, now they were wearing blue jeans, boots, pulling an overnight case with a laptop heading out the door to go wherever they were needed. I realized even more how special the company and people are. I saw it with my own eyes." Atkins would spend one year researching, one year writing and one year having the book proofed and printed. During those three years, when she was aided by everyone she sought help from – and many she didn't – Atkins would gain an even greater respect for Alabama Power. "It was the most rewarding Atkins was the first female in the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.

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