Birmingham, Alabama: Putting People First

Ten years ago, Deirdre Gaddis’ hair started thinning in the top, so she cut it short. As the thinning increased because of a condition that’s the female version of male pattern baldness, she added weave here or a wig there to cover up what she felt was missing.

But pretty soon, those cover ups started adding up in her wallet and she made a change. One day in 2013 at 1 a.m., she got out of bed, took a hard look in the mirror and shaved her head. It was just that simple.

Deirdre Gaddis shaved her head in 2013 after dealing with the female version of male pattern baldness. And although some may stare, she has no regrets. “Once you stop living by other people’s stereotypes and benchmarks, you can start living your own truth,’’ she said. “I’m glad I can be who I am. I’m fat, I’m silly and I’m bald. So, it is what it is.’’

And she’s been rocking her bald head ever since. She goes to work bald. She performs as a singer bald. She inspires others to be bald.

“A lot of people attribute hair with beauty,’’ said Gaddis, a Birmingham native who’s the director of chorale ministries at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Zion City. “I’m just glad I can step out in my good clothes or jeans and T-shirts and not have anything on my head and feel like I’m as beautiful as any other woman out there.’’

Gaddis, 45, is one of 31 women featured on the City of Birmingham’s social media outlets during March for Women’s History Month.

The profiles are part of Birmingham #StrongHER, a new campaign launched by Mayor Randall Woodfin’s administration to highlight some of the unsung “sheroes’’ living, working, volunteering or inspiring others in Birmingham. The message is that Birmingham is StrongHER, BoldHER, BrightHER, FierceHER, SmartHER and BraveHER because of HER.

“We live in a city where women are making moves that spark change,’’ Mayor Woodfin said. “The women highlighted in this campaign are just an example of the thousands of other female gamechangers working to make a difference in our city, our country and the world. I salute them all.’’

Gaddis works as an administrative clerk by day. But in her spare time, she sings. She has been singing since was 6 years old. On March 23 and 24, she will be one of the background singers for Grammy-nominated singer Miki Howard at Boutwell Auditorium.

Although she still wears wigs from time to time, she will likely step out on stage at Boutwell with her shaved head.

“All I try to be is a ray of light in this world. You never know what someone is going through,’’ she said. “It’s our duty to be that sunshine that brightens someone else’s cloudy day. I use my voice and my bald head to engage people in simple conversation. And before you know it, that simple conversation can foster ministry for someone’s situation.’’

“I’m not a cancer survivor, but I’ve been able to encourage other women who face that fight and are struggling with their impending baldness,’’ she said. “I can show them that being bald isn’t a drawback. In fact, baldness forces others to focus on your true inner beauty instead of the hairdo you’re wearing at the moment.’’

You can view all of the City of Birmingham’s #StrongHer profiles at www.birminghamal.gov/strongher