Judge Helen Shores Lee presents her family story

Published 8:00 am Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Judge Helen Shores will tell her story and share from her book, titled, The Gentle Giant of Dynamite Hill, the Untold Story of Arthur Shores and His Family’s Fight for Civil Rights. published by Zondervan in August of 2012 on Wednesday, November 20 at noon in the Pell City Library.  She will be the featured guest speaker for the library’s ongoing Wild and Wonderful Wednesday series.

The Honorable Helen Shores Lee grew up during the racially turbulent times of the 1960’s in Birmingham.  It was a difficult time fraught with violence and racial inequalities, but for the daughter of a prominent Civil Rights Attorney, Arthur Shores, the violence of the time became personal . . . because she lived.

It wasn’t easy being the daughter of Arthur Shores.  Considered a pioneer of racial equality, even before marches and demonstrations became the focus of nightly newscasts, attorney Arthur Shores began his career in the 1930s defending civil rights, despite threats and acts of violence to his family and community.  Representing Autherine Lucy successfully in her quest for admission to the University of Alabama, was a landmark case for Shores, and resulted in his ongoing presence in prominent civil rights litigations in Alabama.  This notoriety brought danger to himself and to his family during the racially charged period.  Smithfield, the neighborhood where the Shores family lived, was targeted by the Klu Klux Klan on more than 50 occasions.  In 1963, their home was bombed twice, collapsing the garage, blowing off the front door, causing Shore’s wife Theodora to suffer a concussion, and killing Tasso, the family’s cocker spaniel.  The family barely escaped another bombing attempt on their home in 1965.  Threatening letters and phone calls were common.   Yet with courage and determination, Shores lived his faith and persevered with selfless service and an indomitable will to succeed.  This was a legacy that he passed on to his two daughters, who have achieved success in their chosen fields of law and social service.

Appointed Circuit Judge of the Tenth Judicial Court of Alabama in January of 2003 by Governor Don Siegelman, the Honorable Helen Shores Lee became the first African-American woman to serve in the Civil Division of the Circuit Court of Jefferson County.  Before this she practiced law in Birmingham with the firm, Shores and Lee for more than sixteen years.  Judge Lee served as Magistrate for the City of Birmingham in 1986 and 1987 prior to her practice  Lee served on the Alabama State Ethics Commission from 1996-2000 and as its chairwoman from 1999-2000.  Lee is dedicated to community service, serving as Chair of The Advisory Council of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Minority Health and Research Center, and on the Boards of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama; Campfire, Inc; American Red Cross; United Cerebral Palsy, and as Trustee of Leadership Birmingham.  

 “As a child, I learned from my parents early the importance of giving back to the community.  As an adult, I have found that giving of your time and service can be one of the most rewarding experiences in life.  If I am to promote the welfare of my community and make my city a better place to live, then I must get involved and I must give of my time, my service, and myself for the benefit of others,” Lee said.  “This is the model I follow in my professional career and personal life.”

The Wild and Wonderful Wednesday series is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served afterwards.