Alabama Woman Of True Grit This Month
We continue to feature great women from our state as they accomplish great things often after great tragedy. A native of Huntsville, AL, Ellen Woodward Potts earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from Birmingham-Southern College and a master of business administration from the University of South Alabama.
She began her volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity in 1997 upon moving to Tuscaloosa and resigned as secretary of the board of directors in March 2013 to become interim executive director. By July 2013, the position had become permanent. She serves on the board of the Alabama Association of Habitat Affiliates as president-elect of the Rotary Club of Tuscaloosa. Also, she has served on the boards of Caring Days (including 2 years as board president) and Living River Camp and Conference Center.
At First Presbyterian Church, she is both an elder and choir member/soloist. She has received recognition for her work in the community, including induction into the 2025 USA Today Alabama Woman of the Year, University of Alabama Order of the XXXI, West Alabama Chamber of Commerce Civic Hall of Fame, the Nick’s Kids Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award, the Birmingham-Southern College Distinguished Alumni Award, the Edith Dailey Walton Outstanding Humanitarian Award, and the Women's Leadership Award by the Association of the U.S. Army (West AL Chapter).
Ellen has been married to neurologist Dr. Daniel Potts for 37 years. They have two daughters—Julie, an attorney with Rumberger Kirk in Birmingham, and Maria, a recent behavioral neuroscience Ph.D. graduate who begins her career as an assistant professor at the University of North Alabama in August 2026.
She is a true Woman of True Grit, and it is an honor to feature her story this month.
The Women of True Grit series is powered by Alabama State Games and WOTG.
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