10/28/2025
The United Way 2025 Edith Wilcox Award honors Jessica Bradford Odom the Executive Director of partner agency, ECI- The Arc of Southwest Alabama.
To honor the legacy of Edith Wilcox, United Way annually recognizes a Washington County Committee Member who embodies Mrs. Edith's unwavering passion for service. Known for her dedication to her community and her strong advocacy for United Way and our partners, Mrs. Edith’s spirit continues to inspire.
Jessica leads The Arc with a remarkable blend of compassion, vision, and tenacity. She drives efforts to promote independence and community involvement for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Under her leadership, The Arc serves individuals across Washington County, providing training in daily living skills, budgeting, self‑advocacy, and more, so that each person they serve can reach self‑determined goals.
However, Jessica’s impact extends well beyond her agency walls. She stands as a long‑time advocate for United Way and the broader community. Fellow advocate Jessica Ross remarked, “From United Way, to the Public Library, to Sunday school classrooms at church, you will find her working hard to make a positive difference in the lives of people across our community of all ages.”
In everything she does, Jessica elevates the voices and needs of those often overlooked, creating more inclusive opportunities and a more united community for us all.
Jessica exemplifies the enduring spirit of Edith Wilcox by serving with passion, fighting for meaningful inclusion, and championing our United Way mission at every turn.
