BPL's Lee, Bitten Win Awards from Metro Birmingham NAACP

Powderly Library branch manager Loretta Bitten and BPL Interim Director Sandi Lee

Two Birmingham Public Library (BPL) employees were honored by the Metro Birmingham Branch of the NAACP’s 17th Annual Salute to (WOW) Wonderful Outstanding Women program on June 4, 2017.

Sandi Lee, interim director of BPL, was selected Metro Birmingham NAACP Administrator of the Year for her work leading the 19-branch Birmingham library system since June 2016. Loretta Bitten, branch manager of the Powderly Branch Library, was selected Metro Birmingham NAACP Mother of the Year. Bitten is mother of Alabama’s first identical twin judges, Jefferson County Judges Shera Grant and Shanta Owens.

Lee, who has served in many capacities during her 23-year career at BPL, said she is honored to receive such recognition from an organization like the NAACP.

“It has been a very humbling experience to be included in this group of outstanding women from the Birmingham community,” Lee said. “I appreciate this recognition from the Metro Birmingham NAACP. It means a great deal to me.”

Bitten, a 20-plus year veteran at BPL, said “being a mother is one of my greatest accomplishments,” adding she was humbled to receive an award or her parenting from the Metro Birmingham NAACP.

“This is such an honor to be recognized for doing something that has given me so much pleasure,” Bitten said. “I thank God for my daughters and His allowing me to tunnel visions into their lives.”