Appleseed’s Executive Director is inducted into Florence Walk of Honor

By Carla Crowder, Appleseed Executive Director

FLORENCE Ala., — When I lived in Florence in the 1980s and 1990s, I was pretty average, at best. 

There was one thing I did well. I shot free throws, and for three years in a row I represented the City of Florence in the national finals of the Elks Club free throw shooting competition in Indianapolis. My youth was otherwise fairly unremarkable to the point where I didn’t even have a date to senior prom. I spent that night working the drive-thru window at Wendy’s.

Ronald McKeithen at the Walk of Honor

I also made more than my share of mistakes, mostly just misdemeanors, as a kid. But Florence always treated me with compassion and mercy and I was not defined by my mediocrity or mistakes. None of us should be. 

Enjoying the Walk of Honor Ceremony with my biggest advocate, my husband Bernard Troncale

And that’s the reason that being chosen for the Walk of Honor is especially meaningful. I’m being honored as an advocate for criminal justice reform, as someone who has made a difference by representing incarcerated people and challenging the systems that unnecessarily condemn thousands of Alabamians to prison, often for mistakes made as very young people. Our team at Alabama Appleseed reaches into Alabama’s wretched prisons and finds pathways to freedom for people who would otherwise die there. 

And Florence, Alabama, specifically the 11-member Walk of Honor Selection Committee, decided this was valuable work that deserves recognition. I am beyond grateful to my hometown for this honor.

I also know I was honored for the accomplishments and dedication of our entire team at Alabama Appleseed. We are a small nonprofit and each one of us contributes mightily to our mission, whether through legal and reentry work, policy advocacy, research and writing, or building coalitions for change.

The other honorees at the September 26 ceremony were literal rock stars, Jason Isbell and Spooner Oldham, and an unsung hero in journalism, Louis Eckl, a longtime editor of the Times Daily who took enormous risks to advocate for desegregation and civil rights in the 1950s and 1960s.

Members of Appleseed’s staff joined the Walk of Honor festivities in Florence and got to meet fellow honoree Jason Isbell

This has not been an easy year for me. In June, my father passed away. John Crowder was a true Florence character, an activist and environmentalist, who spent 45 years in the Shoals and touched so many lives with his eager conversation, curiosity, and helpfulness. Not every Southern girl of my era had a father who encouraged her to question politicians who misused their power and stand up for the vulnerable. I am eternally grateful that my father did. He sure did.   

The Walk of Honor recognizes Florence and Lauderdale County residents who have had a national or international impact. Currently 70 people are honored, ranging from music legend W.C. Handy to champion golfer Stewart Cink.

I’ll close with my quote from the City’s press release:

“I don’t come from wealth, or privilege, or the Ivy League, and yet, I lead an organization that’s making a difference for marginalized and vulnerable people in Alabama. So, anybody can do that.”