Representative Ginny Shaver Named Cherokee “Fierce Woman of the Year”
At the 10th Annual Advancing Women to the Top event, Alabama State Representative Ginny Shaver was recognized as the Cherokee “Fierce Woman of the Year.” The conference, jointly hosted this year by the Calhoun, Cherokee, and Etowah County Chambers of Commerce, honors women who embody the award’s meaning: Female Inspiring and Engaging in Rare Courageous Efforts (FIERCE).
According to Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Joy Perry, this marked the first year the Cherokee Chamber partnered with Calhoun and Etowah to host the event. She expressed gratitude for the collaboration, saying:
“On behalf of the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce & Tourism, I want to start by extending a sincere thank you to our friends at the Etowah and Calhoun Chambers. This is our first year to be a sponsor for the Empowering Women Conference, and we are so honored to be a part of it. The mission of the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce & Tourism is to be a member-driven chamber of influence, providing effective connections that enhance advocacy and promote business development and community advancement in Cherokee County, Alabama, and the surrounding areas. But at the heart of that mission are the people who help us bring it to life. I have known our winner for many years, and she has always worked tirelessly alongside our chamber to make Cherokee County a great place to live, work, and play. She is a true woman of great character and integrity, and I am so proud to call her my friend. It is my great honor to present the 2025 FIERCE Woman of the Year for Cherokee County to our State Representative Ginny Shaver!”
Career and Legislative Service
Representative Ginny Shaver, of Centre, represents Alabama House District 39, which includes all of Cherokee County and part of DeKalb County. She was first elected to the legislature in November 2018 and re-elected in 2022.
Her professional background spans finance, public service, and small business ownership. Shaver studied accounting and computer science at Gadsden State Community College and Chattahoochee Valley Community College before continuing her education at Jacksonville State University. She owned Shaver Tax & Bookkeeping for nearly a decade and worked 17 years in municipal government, including positions with the City of Gadsden and as Town Clerk of Leesburg.
In Montgomery, Shaver has earned a reputation as a dedicated lawmaker with a focus on family, agriculture, and economic development. She is well known for sponsoring the “Born Alive” protection bill, requiring physicians to provide life-saving care to infants born alive after an attempted abortion. She also sponsored legislation streamlining the adoption process for children and adults—improving court communication, clarifying procedures for relatives and stepparents, and setting clear guidelines for determining when a child is legally considered abandoned.
Her work has drawn endorsements from the Alabama Farmers Federation and the Business Council of Alabama for her advocacy in agriculture and business growth.
Committee Leadership
Representative Shaver serves in leadership and key roles across multiple legislative committees, including:
-
Chair, Children and Senior Advocacy Committee
-
Vice Chair, Economic Development and Tourism Committee
-
Member, Legislative Committee on Public Accounts
-
Member, Transportation Committee
-
Member, Agriculture and Forestry Committee
Community Involvement
Beyond the legislature, Shaver is a strong voice in her community. She serves as a member of the Alabama State Republican Executive Committee, Vice-Chair of the Cherokee County Republican Executive Committee, and President of the Cherokee County Republican Women. She is also a member of Tates Chapel Baptist Church in Centre.
She is married to Cherokee County Sheriff Jeff Shaver. Together, they have three children, two grandsons, and one granddaughter. Known locally for her “servant’s heart,” Representative Shaver has long been respected for her tireless efforts to make Cherokee County a great place to live, work, and raise families.
Honored to Serve
Speaking with WEIS News following the award presentation, Representative Shaver expressed her gratitude.
“It is an honor to be recognized by such a group of outstanding women involved in the event,” she said.
Representative Shaver continues her work in Montgomery as the District 39 representative, carrying forward her focus on legislation and community advancement.
https://weisradio.com/2024/02/08/cherokee-county-public-library-thanks-representative-ginny-shaver/
