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Selma-Dallas County Public Library Executive Director Becky Nichols was the guest speaker at St. Paul Episcopal Church’s Lenten Lunch series, “Finding God in the Queen City” on March 13.

Nichols discussed how God played a big role in her spending most of her life in Selma, where she was born and raised. Nichols graduated from A.G. Parrish High School in 1966 and the University of Alabama a few years later. 

“I had a great childhood; my parents are supportive,” Nichols said. “My parents allowed me to be myself.”

Nichols described how God is a big part of her life. Her family were members of the First Presbyterian Church, now named Cornerstone Presbyterian Church.

“We have a creative God, a dependable God, and a strengthening God,” Nichols said, “I believe the ground we walk on is a holy ground.”

Nichols said it was in God’s plan for her to work in her hometown. Nichols relocated from Atlanta to Selma in 1974, working as a teacher at Meadowview Elementary. 

After a few years working in the Children’s section of the library, Executive Director Patricia Blalock stepped down in 1976 and wanted Nichols to succeed her. Nichols sought advice from a close friend and eventually accepted the honor. 

“I was told by someone that if you don’t take the job, you may be working for someone you don’t like,” Nichols said. “I continued to do my passion, combining my old position with the executive director position. I had to go back because this is where God wanted me to be.”

Nichols was thankful for the opportunity presented by Blalock, who died on Sept. 7, 2011.

“She was like another mother for me, but, most of all, she was a tremendous mentor,” Nichols said. “Our relationship stemmed from doing the same things.”

Nichols praised the library’s staff, making her job easier.

“I have a world-class staff,’’ Nichols said. “A group of hard-working people.”

The Reverend Amy M. George, Rector at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, said Nichols has been helpful since she arrived in Selma four years ago.

Former Selma City Councilwoman Susan Youngblood and former Dallas County District Court Judge Maggie Peterson attended the luncheon.