CONVERSATIONS
The Many Faces of Teresa
Get to know Teresa Thorne

You have noticed, this is the “Women’s Issue” of Birmingham. I am directing your attention to a woman that is in the midst of many things worthwhile, Teresa K. Thorne.

A Montgomery native and long time local resident Teresa is, among other things, executive director of City Action Partnership, or CAP. CAP is the organization that operates the Birmingham City Center Business Improvement District and serves the businesses and residents in the city center of Birmingham. You are aware of the “guys on the bikes.” In addition to providing additional eyes and ears for the Birmingham Police Department, they also provide several other valuable services, the most visible of which is invisible—no trash or graffiti downtown! For complete information, visit capisdowntown.com.

Teresa earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work at the University of Alabama and started her career in that field with the Birmingham Police Department as an administrative assistant. This was the beginning of a 22-year career in law enforcement during which she experienced the entirety of police work. It is important to know that she was one of the few female officers on the force when she enlisted.

During her term of service she held assignments in all divisions in the police department from foot patrolman to detective. When she retired, she had earned the rank of Captain and was stationed at the North Precinct. This assignment was not for the faint of heart.

I became acquainted with Teresa during an interview process that resulted in her joining CAP as executive director in 1997. She appeared for the interview in uniform with her full accoutrement. I remember our first and lasting impression was that this lady was who we wanted and later found out, who we needed. She followed another police veteran, Dennis Blass, who likewise has distinguished himself in public service.

From her very first day in CAP service, she demonstrated a special insight and perception in the performance of her duties. Her position with CAP has provided a unique platform from which she has initiated a variety of programs that have benefitted our community. In addition to ably delivering on the CAP mission, she organized an effective and long lived assistance program in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Currently she is adding her considerable influence and talent to efforts to provide assistance to our homeless community.

Because of her ingenuity and hard work all of us have seen the 9/11 Memorial Walk on 19th Street North, the Birmingham Pledge mural on police headquarters and enjoyed her efforts to beautify Birmingham Green. All of this is her day job.

In addition to managing a husband, family and a variety of livestock, she also finds the time to be an accomplished and award winning poet and author of novels and short stories. That’s not all; she is a screenwriter too. Her movie, Six Blocks Wide, was screened at the historic Carver Theatre in Birmingham in June and has received critical acclaim. A Leadership Birmingham graduate, Teresa is past president of her Lions Club, sits on the YWCA board, advises Jefferson State Community College and is accomplished in the martial arts. Whew!

I’m not sure if she is multifaceted, complex or just plain complicated; probably all of the above.

In any event, all in our community benefit from her citizenship. Good for you Teresa!

Russell Cunningham
CEO of the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce
August Birmingham, Alabama

  

 
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