2010 First-place Winner

First Place — 2010 Local Heroes Contest

Born: Birmingham, Ala.

Family: Mother and father, Billy and Betty Corretti; Husband, Dr. Alun Harris, retired; son, William Corretti Harris, attorney.

My day job: President of Edgewater Beach Condominiums Board of Directors.

I got involved because: The homeowners I represent were and are passionate about our private property rights, and we became even more passionate when the government intentionally and repeatedly violated our right to obtain the information that we needed to become informed and obtain redress for the government’s infringement upon our private property rights.

I could not have done it without: The homeowners who elected me their association president for the past 20 years inspired and supported me. I also could not have done this without my attorneys, Larry Keefe, Matt Gaetz, Marc Slager who believed in me and were willing to pursue what everyone else thought was a "no win"' lawsuit.

My message to others: So often in life we encounter injustices and things that are just plain “wrong.” All of us, myself included, often turn away and move on, reasoning that “somebody else” will do something about it. If everyone thinks this way, then injustice and “wrong” will prevail and become the norm. This cannot happen. If enough decent people are willing, when their times come, to step forward and be that “somebody” who makes a difference in preventing an injustice and righting a wrong, then our communities and our families will be far to the better. Be that “somebody else” when you see wrong and don’t just walk on by.

People I admire: The people who have placed themselves at risk to draw attention to and right wrongs and injustices are my heroes. I grew up in Birmingham during the Civil Rights protests of the 1960s. Rosa Parks saw the injustice of racism and discrimination. She saw wrong and placed herself at risk when she refused to ride in the back of the bus. She did not just go along thinking that “somebody else” would do it. She did it. She decided to be that somebody who makes the difference. All of the people who put their life or reputation at risk to stand up for what they believe in are my heroes.