Pioneer for Equality

By Kylee N. Stapleton

Nina Miglionico, or Miss Nina as many called her, was an important figure in the movement for equality for women. Miss Nina fought for women to be included in juries across Alabama, and she was one the first women to serve on the Birmingham City Council. Miss Nina set the tone for all women who came after her to have the same rights and opportunities as their male counterparts. Additionally, she was a part of many committees and boards, including, “The Girl Scouts of America, the YMCA, the Jefferson County Mental Health Association, the Symphony Orchestra Association, the Birmingham Beautification Board and the Children’s Theatre” (Fede 1994, 245). Miss Nina was an important advocate not just for women, but for all people regardless of age, race, or gender. Miss Nina had many passions and desired to make equality attainable for all people. The statue of her in Birmingham’s Linn Park motivates those who visit to stand up for what they believe in and encourages others to do everything it takes to achieve their goals and aspirations.

Miglionico’s History

Miss Nina, the child of Italian immigrants, was born in Alabama in 1913. She graduated from Howard College (now Samford University) in only three years and then entered the University of Alabama’s School of Law. This set her apart because at the time many law schools did not accept women and “only five women law students were in the Alabama class of 1936” (Fede 1994, 247).

Miss Nina faced discrimination and challenges of all kinds, but she did not let those things hinder her from fulfilling her purpose. Miss Nina worked alongside her partner Robert Gordon at a small law practice. When World War II took place, Miss Nina was able to take control of the practice she and Gordon had run together. While he was away at war, Miss Nina enhanced her reputation through working more cases and gaining clientele individually (Fede 1994, 248). In 1958, her fame and influence started to grow when she was elected president of the National Association of Women Lawyers. Though short in stature, Miss Nina became known for standing tall in doing what is right and standing up for what she believed in. She was not afraid to speak out about inequality, whether that be in Birmingham, Alabama or nationwide.

Women in the Political Setting

In 2014, a survey conducted by Phyllis Kitzerow highlighted different questions asked to women regarding their political career. It consisted of three separate groups, the pioneer group graduating from law school first, then the transition group, then the modern group. Kitzerow found that “the majority (62% of the pioneer group, 69% of the transition group, and 78% of the modern group) said they would have been treated differently if they were men. Most of them also believed that gender still matters in the legal profession” (Kitzerow 2014, 107). This survey reveals some of the harsh truths that remain today regarding equality in the legal world. Women have a more challenging time finding employment at law firms as attorneys and are often viewed as lesser than their male counterparts (Gross 1990, 293-477). These challenges are still present today but were even more heavily present during Miss Nina’s career. Being a woman attorney comes with its own set of challenges and hurdles to jump through, but Miss Nina never let those things stop her.

Miglionico’s Impact in the Political World

In 1963, when Miss Nina ran for Birmingham City Council, she received additional backlash from the Ku Klux Klan as well as the White Citizens Council. Still, this hindrance did not stop her. She became the first woman to be elected to city council in Birmingham and even presided over it for four years (1978 to 1981) before her retirement in 1985 (Bhamwiki.) She did not care what others said or thought about her. Frank Joseph Fede highlights some cases of backlash she endured for speaking up all throughout her time on council, “Crosses were burned in her yard.  There were phone threats, and once a bomb was placed on her front porch” (Fede 1994, 248). Her career choice and bold personality were not without risks, but despite these things, Miss Nina still stood up for what she believed was right. One of her main contributions was for women to be included on juries in Alabama (Richardson, 1965). Her boldness to stand up for this right aides all women today and is worthy of honor and respect. Additionally, Miss Nina campaigned for improved prison laws, child labor laws, and voting ballot reforms (Fede 1994, 245). Her influence spread across multiple areas of the political realm.

Motivations from Miglionico’s Work

The perseverance, boldness, and bravery of Nina Miglionico and her work pushes and challenges us today. The hope is that all who visit her memorial, or those who have heard her name, leave encouraged and motivated to work to change society in areas they are passionate about. Equal rights for women in athletics, equal pay for equal work, universal childcare, and women’s rights in religious settings are just a few of the many issues present today. Miglionico’s work over the years made a significant impact but there is still plenty of work to be done. While women in the United States have gained more rights over the years (there is still lots of room for improvement), many women across the world are not met with the same level of equality. In many cultures, women are not allowed to pursue a career, marry someone they love, or even receive a proper education. All these issues need to be addressed. Nina Miglionico has done a beautiful job of setting the stage to show us that anyone can make a difference.

Nina Miglionico’s passion for equality is of utmost importance for all people today. Her dedication to specific causes shaped committees and boards as well as law decisions and policies. Miss Nina serves as an inspiration for all women and immigrants who have come after her. Standing up for what you know is right is worth it, and we see this clearly through her example. Because of her advancements, women have the right to serve on a jury and have made further contributions to similar causes that Miss Nina would have been involved in. Her leadership set the tone for further advancements and equality to be made. She took a bold step that others can be inspired to follow, inspired by her memorial many should learn to fight for what is right regarding women’s equality, child labor laws, social and racial injustices, and so many other present issues.

Nina Miglionico
Memorial form: Bronze statue
Sculptor: Ronald McDowell
Memorial erected by: City of Birmingham
Date: October 2015
Location: Linn Park, northwest quadrant, facing Birmingham City Hall, 710 20th St North, Birmingham AL, 35203

References

Bedsole, Jenna M. 2017. Stand Up, Speak Out: The Nina Miglionico Story. Produced and edited by Ted Speaker. Free Works Productions.

Dystopos. 2020. “Nina Miglionico.” Bhamwiki. Last updated, December 7, 2024.

Dystopos. 2024. “Nina Miglionico Statue.” Bhamwiki. Last updated, January 29, 2024.

Fede, Frank Joseph.1994. Italians in the Deep South: Their Impact on Birmingham and the American Heritage. Montgomery, Al: Black Belt Press.

Gross, Karen, et al. 1990. Symposium on Women in the Lawyering Workplace: A Feminist Considerations and Practical Solutions. New York Law School Review. Vol 35 (2): 293-477.

Kitzerow, Phyllis. 2014. Women Attorneys and the Changing Workplace: High Hopes Mixed Outcomes. Boulder Co: FirstForumPress a division of Lynne Rienner Publishers.

Richardson, Jesse. 1965. The Alabama Encyclopedia. Northport, Al. American Southern Publishing Company.

Rumore, Samuel A. Jr. 2014. “The Last Bombing: The Story of Nina Miglionico.” Alabama Heritage 112: 36-43.

Rumore, Pat Boyd. 2010. From Power to Service: The Story of Lawyers in Alabama. Montgomery, AL: The Alabama State Bar and the Alabama Bench and Bar Historical Society.

Kylee Stapleton ’27 was a student in a UCS 102: Icons & Memorials in Samford University’s Howard College of Arts and Sciences in spring 2024.

Published April 1, 2024.