Play at Vulcan to portray local 19th century humanitarian

The life of Birmingham’s legendary 19th century “madam” and humanitarian Louise “Lou” Wooster will be portrayed at Vulcan on April 9. “Determination, Drama, and Daring: The Life of Louise Wooster” will premier at 5:30 p.m.

This one-woman show by playwright Ellise Mayor,will uncover the colorful life of Wooster, who risked her own death by caring for the sick and dying during the 1873 cholera epidemic in Birmingham. When she died in May 1913, hundreds of empty black carriages drove by the funeral home to pay respects to the local hero.

Her story is not only one of overcoming financial and social obstacles, but of living up to personal principles, selflessly contributing to society and giving back to those less fortunate, regardless of social stigma.

The Lou Wooster Public Health Hero Award is presented annually by the UAB School of Public Health to recognize individuals, groups or organizations who are unconventional public health heroes. Award recipients are driven by a horse drawn carriage from the School of Public Health to Oak Hill Cemetery where Lou Wooster is buried.

The inaugural award was presented in 2007 to State Representative Patricia Todd. Other public health heroes including Dr. Herman Taylor of the Jackson Heart Study, journalist John Archibald of the Birmingham News (2009), Master Chef Frank Stitt, of Highlands Bar & Grill, the Birmingham City Council, the VF Corporation, and the editor of Cooking Light Magazine have all received this honor.

Angelou Ezeilo, the 2015 recipient, will be presented with the award at Birmingham Revealed on April 9. A breakfast ceremony and conversation with Ezeilo will be held at the UAB Ryal’s Public Health Building on Friday, April 10 at 8 a.m. Ezeilo serves as project manager for the Trust for Public Land (TPL) in both its New Jersey and Georgia offices.

General admission to the performance and award presentation is $10 and $8 for Vulcan Park and Museum members. To purchase your tickets see visitvulcan.com/events.