SYLACAUGA, Ala. – Mrs. Margaret Morton is a cornerstone of the Sylacauga community, and her lifelong dedication and accomplishments have now been duly recognized.
The Sylacauga Alliance for Family Enhancement (SAFE) was created in 1996 to “address social and economic issues” affecting families, and specifically children, across Sylacauga and all of Talladega County. Two years later, Margaret Morton was appointed as Executive Director, and for the last 24 years she has devoted herself to helping the community however she could.
On Monday, Dec. 6, Morton received a lifetime achievement award from Alabama Chief Justice Tom Parker and the U.S. Trust at the Alabama Supreme Court. She was one of seven recipients of the inaugural award.
“This recognition has many faces and represents the dedication and commitment at our community, county, and regional levels,” said Morton. “Being presented this prestigious award was particularly heart-touching to me as it was presented by the Chief Justice of the highest court in the state and in a place that is hollowed ground for justice.”
Receiving this award at the Alabama Supreme Court was significant to Morton, too, because her grandfather was Chief Justice James Edwin Livingston. Livingston was the second longest serving Justice and Chief Justice in Alabama (1951 – 1971).
Parker also received the first-ever Award for Distinguished Lifetime Leadership.
Morton recently visited with Executive Vice President of RadioAlabama, Michael Brannon, to discuss SAFE’s involvement with the Stuff the Studio Food and Toy Drive going on now through Dec. 15.
You can listen to Brannon’s conversation with Morton and co-founder of Alabama Childhood Food Solutions (ACFS) Jim Jones here.
