By Alabama Public Radio
Montgomery, AL – Velinda A-J Weatherly of Forestdale has become the first black woman to serve on Alabama's parole board. Governor Bob Riley announced her appointment Thursday. The majority of the parole board's nominating committee favored Weatherly for the position. She has served as the parole board's director of training, media relations and legislation. She's calling her appointment the culmination of a career moving from the bottom to the top of the parole board. Weatherly begins serving immediately, but her appointment must gain approval from the state Senate.