If machines ever replace man, then it will take six (6) or eight (8) robots to replace Senator Rodger M. Smitherman, Esquire. Rodger is currently serving his third term as Senator for District 18, he is head junior varsity girls' basketball coach and assistant girl varsity basketball coach for three-time state champions Ramsey High School. At W. J. Christian School he is assistant soccer, softball and girls basketball coach. He was elected treasurer of the National Conference of Black State Legislators. Rodger is Constitutional Law Professor for Miles Law School, a practicing attorney, semi-pro golfer, husband and a father.
Attorney Smitherman was educated in the Shelby County Public Schools where his mother was the first black principal in that system. His father was self employed and taught his son never to be a stranger to hard work. Rodger's parents became invalids before he turned thirteen (13) and not only did he care for both of them until their death but the courts gave him custody of a younger sibling. He went on to earn a Bachelors degree in Business Administration from the University of Montevallo and graduated from Miles Law School with honors.
His life experiences have taken him from his first job working on the grass farm, to personnel director at Stockham, Dean of Students at Southern Junior College to partner in The Smitherman Law Firm for the past seventeen (17) years.
The Governor of Alabama appointed Senator Smitherman to the Board of Trustees at the University of Montevallo and the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. He presently serves on the Metro YMCA Board of Directors, Executive Committee of Southern Legislative Conference and National Energy Council.
In the Alabama Senate he serves as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, and is a member of the Education and Rules Committees. He is Chairman of the Jefferson County Senate Delegation and is past president of the Alabama Legislative Black Caucus. Senator Smitherman is the recipient of many Awards and Honors. Most recently, he received the Birmingham Board of Education Partner of the Year Award.
Despite his extensive professional, political and volunteer endeavors, Rodger puts family first. Each morning before starting his own day he has traditionally driven each of his children to school. His wife Carole is not only his life partner but law partner as well. Rodger and Carole serve as Elders at More Than Conquerors Faith Church where the family worships.
Senator Smitherman is a person of marked individuality and strong character, who takes a selfless approach to many things he does. He is an advocate of civil and human rights, knowing the value of reaching back to help others so that all may enter with him. Rodger believes you can't let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game. As he often says you must do the things you think you cannot do for failure is not an option.