Alabama Women Of True Grit: Focus On Laura Creel Burt

The Women of True Grit is a great program created by Alabama native Edie Hand, and this month, we are shining the spotlight on Laura Creel Burt.

We are so thankful for the people who make it possible, the Alabama State Games and Thrasher Leadership. Two great companies serving Alabama, and they are first-class in every way.

Edie sought to showcase extraordinary ladies in the Deep South, specifically those living in Alabama.

These women have been through devastating trials in life, yet through their faith and overcoming spirit have seen things turned from awful to beautiful situations.

Laura Creel Burt is our featured Woman of True Grit in October.

She serves as the Executive Director/CEO of the Alabama State Games and the ASF Foundation.

Laura was born in Montgomery, Alabama, and attended Jefferson Davis High School.

She pursued higher education at Auburn University, earning her Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication.

After college, Laura entered the professional world, working for Sungard Output Solutions, and had a very successful career for nearly two decades with Sungard.

Creel-Burt left Sungard and continued to thrive in the business world with one successful career endeavor after another over many years.

Amidst all of her professional endeavors, Laura faced a personal tragedy when her daughter, Elaine, was abruptly diagnosed with Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma at the age of fifteen.

This aggressive childhood cancer ultimately claimed her daughter's life after a ten-month battle despite Laura's tireless efforts.

Throughout her daughter's illness, Laura juggled work responsibilities from home,
doctors' offices, and hospital rooms, determined to do everything possible to save Elaine.

Well, that was not to be, and upon Elaine’s death started the Elaine Roberts Foundation, a Foundation that raises awareness about Childhood Cancer and raises money for Childhood Cancer research, specifically Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma.

Though her heart still carried the weight of loss, it also harbored a newfound resolve to seek fulfillment beyond corporate corridors.

Laura returned to Montgomery after marrying a childhood friend, drawn back by familial ties and her husband's commitments in the city.

Nothing, in my view, and most parents' opinion, could be worse than losing a child. It's something most of us have a difficult time even thinking about.

However, Laura Creel Burt showed her tremendous grit and faith by creating something great out of devastating tragedy and pain.

That is what a Woman of True Grit is all about.
Watch this video to meet Laura and see more about her story.