Julia Tutwiler

Julia Strudwick Tutwiler (1841-1916) was a pioneer in the fields of education and prison reform in Alabama. She worked to open doors to university education for women, and her efforts resulted in major changes to the Alabama prison sytem, including separate facilities for men and women. Tutwiler was president of Alabama Normal College, which eventually became the University of West Alabama. Her poem, "Alabama," was put to music and became the state song.