V.I.R.T.U.E. stands for Vessels Imparting and Restoring Temples to Uncontestable Excellence.
From that mission statement, V.I.R.T.U.E. has developed into a powerhouse of awareness and empowerment for women, according to the founder of the organization, Deidra Green.
“Our focus is to have the message of women’s health and empowerment ring loudly! Established to encourage and build women in leadership, V.I.R.T.U.E.’s vision is to provide informational and motivational programs designed to empower people and ignite change.”
As the founder of V.I.R.T.U.E. Inc., Green’s professional and personal life experience as a nurse (B.S.), a business executive (M.B.A.), the First Lady of More Than Conquerors Faith Church, an Elder, minister of the gospel, a wife and a mother has afforded her the opportunity to learn the art of balancing one’s career, family, and personal spiritual life.
Her insightful experiences have caused her to gain wisdom practices, which afford her the opportunity to release a message of hope, healing, and love. Green’s versatility has been featured on the local NBC affiliate station during their “Women In Business” special.
Green is a wife to Steve Green, the Senior Pastor of More Than Conquerors Faith Church (MTCFC) in Birmingham, and mother of seven. “The name of our church comes from Romans 8:37. And it says that in spite of everything that’s going on in the world, a principle that is very much applicable for us today looking at society; we conquer, we win.”
She currently serves as Human Resource Administrator for MTCFC and Director of Women’s Ministry. Green enjoys encouraging women through ministry, sharing preventative health measures from her experience as a professional nurse and building a resourceful platform for women.
Established to encourage and build women in leadership, the TrailblazHer program plays a big part of Green’s work at V.I.R.T.U.E. “I’m personal and passionate about it. It’s definitely been a plus in value added to all of those that have experienced what V.I.R.T.U.E. has to offer.”
TrailblazHers honor the wonderful achievements of women in powerful positions. “From careers in medicine, media, entrepreneurship, policymaking, education, and more, women have led as changemakers. We are delighted to spotlight each TrailblazHer and those to come,” says Green.
Looking ahead, the nonprofit plans to expand its engagements for leadership development. V.I.R.T.U.E. will provide mentoring and networking opportunities for women via an all-inclusive conference and more.
Additionally, V.I.R.T.U.E. plans to open the Naomi Bray Scholarship, which supports young aspiring women throughout Alabama. The scholarship will help young women pay for college tuition to any Historically Black College or University.
The scholarship is named in honor of Green’s mother. “My mom was a young, single parent of four children, two boys and two girls. And she worked in Mountain Brook, cleaning homes and that kind of thing, but she also instilled in us that belief that you can do anything,” Green says.
In addition to the TrailblazHers, for several years, Green has helped to bridge the gap between mother and daughter relationships by spearheading one of the largest Mother/ Daughter gatherings in the Southeast.
Shortly after establishing V.I.R.T.U.E. to inspire women to take charge of their health, Green learned that a family friend and co-worker at the church had an aggressive form of breast cancer. The friend had delayed care and treatment due to fear and a desire to wait. A short time later, she lost her battle, leaving behind a husband and children. She was in her 30s.
The woman’s passing was a jolt to Green, who was even more determined in her fight against breast cancer so that the next woman’s struggle or story would be different. “We took it on, as a mission, as a passion and really as a promise that we would bring about awareness and encourage early detection.”
In 2019, Green started hosting Run with V.I.R.T.U.E. (RWV), a virtual 5K that recognizes Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, increases preventative health education, and raises funding for breast cancer treatments and awareness. To learn more you can visit runwithvirtue.com.
“Last year, we were able to raise money to support the funding of mammograms for uninsured women throughout Birmingham, while connecting with racers from Georgia to California. Additionally, we were able to allot funds towards treatments with the MD Anderson Cancer Center. Get your exams. Know your body. Know your numbers,” said Green.
“I have a desire to take the passion, the zeal, the excellence of my faith even further into the professional market for women. And just really let them know through the programming that we do, and through my spirit, that nothing is impossible.”
These TrailblazHers have all shown and proven that you have the capability to do and conquer all things.
Philippians 4:13. Amplified I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through him who strengthens and empowers me to fulfill His purpose. I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.
