United Way Tocqueville Society Dinner Honors Glenda and Elmer Harris
Over 350 guests were present to honor Glenda and Elmer Harris with United Way of Central Alabama’s 2015 Tocqueville Award at the 20th Annual Tocqueville Dinner in
November. “It is United Way of Central Alabama’s honor to present them with the 2015 Tocqueville Society of Central Alabama Award,” said Drew Langloh, President and CEO,
United Way of Central Alabama, Inc. “This exceptional couple is invaluable to Central Alabama’s philanthropic fabric, Glenda and Elmer Harris have forged a tremendous philanthropic footprint within the community and state they love. Their leadership, generous giving and volunteer service have helped build a better Alabama.”
Recipients of United Way’s Tocqueville Award are true philanthropists who exemplify the spirit of caring and the power to make a meaningful impact on our community’s most pressing issues.
As President and CEO of Alabama Power Company, Elmer Harris created the Alabama Power Foundation in 1989, which is the largest foundation in Alabama. Since then, the Foundation has invested more than $150 million in grants and scholarships helping to strengthen educational programs and improve quality of life across the state.
In 1990, Glenda founded the Alabama Power Service Organization (APSO) and it is still thriving after 25 years. The organization has 10 chapters statewide with over 5,000 volunteers who perform more than 50,000 hours of volunteer work each year and typically touches more than 200 non-profit organizations annually.
With education as a priority, the Harris’ brought a vision to reality as the Harris Early Learning Center opened in 1995. The center brings an exceptional early learning experience to the downtown Birmingham business district and is a unique collaboration between local city government, the downtown business community and higher education through Auburn University.
Since 1993, Glenda and Elmer Harris have been members of the Tocqueville Society of Central Alabama. In 1995, Harris served United Way of Central Alabama as Campaign Chairman leading the community in raising $21,525,000 benefiting agencies in Jefferson, Shelby, Walker, Blount and St. Clair counties. He served as Chairman of the Board of United Way in 1999.
“United Way meets critical human needs in our community and state,” says Harris. “Every individual and corporation in a position to do so should consider continuous and substantive financial and leadership support for United Way. Glenda and I are proud to have actively supported United Way for over 50 years.”
In addition to United Way, he has been involved with numerous civic organizations including Boy Scouts of America, Meyer Foundation and the American Heart Association. He has received both civic and business honors, was inducted into the Alabama Business all of Fame in 2007, the Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame in 1996 and received the Distinguished Service Medal from the State of Alabama in 2000. He has also received six honorary doctoral degrees from Auburn University, University of Alabama Birmingham, Troy University, Faulkner University, Jacksonville University, and Huntingdon College.
Harris retired from Alabama Power in 2002 with 44 years of outstanding service to Alabama’s largest corporation. He continues to work on needed Alabama education, constitutional, and tax reform. He serves as Honorary Consul General of Japan Emeritus and remains active in various international activities. In addition, he serves as Chairman or CEO of several financial and real estate corporations.
Glenda continues to serve the community in several capacities and was most recently recognized for her service with a 2015 YWCA Service Award through the Purse and Passion event in St. Clair County. Both Glenda and Elmer received the March of Dimes Citizen of the Year award in 2000.