Dr. Margaret Israel Millsap, a pioneer of nursing in Alabama, dedicated her life to improving nursing education and the delivery of health care. During her career she managed active roles as a nurse, nurse educator, administrator, leader, and advocate. She touched the lives of many patients through her practice in maternity nursing and as Director of Nursing for UAB’s Center for Developmental and Learning Disorders. Known as a visionary nurse educator, she taught more than 25 years at the Birmingham Baptist Hospital/ Ida V. Moffett School of Nursing. She was instrumental in the merger of the Ida V. Moffett School of Nursing with the start of an associate degree nursing program at Samford University. She continued her faculty role as Professor at The University of Alabama School of Nursing in Birmingham and was the founding director of the Birmingham Southern College School of Nursing. As early as 1958 she exhibited outstanding leadership qualities by serving as a charter member and the first president of the Nu Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International at the University of Alabama School of Nursing. During her career, Dr. Millsap served as President of essentially every major nursing organization in Alabama, including the Alabama League for Nursing, the Alabama State Nurses Association, and the Alabama Board of Nursing. She broke down barriers for women, nurses, and children, including being the first women and first nurse named to Alabama’s Board of Health. Known for having a big love for children with special needs, Dr. Millsap worked as an advocate, helping develop a master’s specialty in developmental disabilities in nursing. Dr. Millsap’s legacy of distinguished leadership is a model for all of us.