Peggy Haywood Hair often said, without a hint of sadness or regret, “My life is small, but it fits.”
She lived a life centered on family, friends, nature, and kindness. And though her life may have been simple, it was anything but small. One way Hair’s life had a big impact on others was through her generous gifts to the causes she cared about most. She wanted this generosity to continue long after she was gone.
Hair passed away on April 22, 2023, but her legacy of giving lives on in part through the two funds she set up through the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham: the Alabama Historic Preservation Fund (which was funded through an estate gift at her death) and the Alabama Butterfly Conservation Fund (which she established during her lifetime but received gifts in her memory at her death).
Crystal Bowles met Peggy Hair when she became her financial advisor many years ago.
“It was clear early on in our planning that she wanted to make a lasting impact with her wealth, and that desire guided the thoughtful decisions she made over the years as we worked together, sometimes in the office and many times from her home,” Bowles says. “Her dedication to her causes was reflected in every step of her planning.”
Hair was active with the Alabama Trust for Historic Preservation for many years, serving as the organization’s president and as a member of its board, and wanted to find a way to support historic preservation in Alabama.
“Peggy had a deep love for Alabama’s history, and her heart was truly in historical preservation,” Bowles says, “dedicating herself to preserving sites that might otherwise be forgotten, such as indigenous mound sites, Trail of Tears roadbeds, and unmarked cemeteries of enslaved people. For Peggy, these sites weren’t just historical artifacts — they represented the stories and voices of those who shaped Alabama’s past.”
Family Matters
Hair established the Alabama Butterfly Conservation Fund largely because of her connection to her sister-in-law, Paulette Haywood Ogard, who is the author of “Butterflies of Alabama: A Glimpse Into Their Lives” and works with the Alabama Butterfly Atlas, an online citizen science resource focused on education and conservation.
“Peggy knew how important this cause was to her family, and she wanted to ensure it received the support it needed to continue its important work,” Bowles says.
Ogard, who was married to Hair’s brother, says she and Hair had been friends since their high school years. After Ogard’s husband died unexpectantly in 2000, Ogard and Hair bonded even more.
“She didn’t have any other siblings, and I have no siblings, so we really became the sisters that neither one of us had biologically,” says Ogard, who was Hair’s primary caretaker in her final years.
Hair appointed Ogard to serve as advisor of the Alabama Butterfly Conservation Fund, which she established primarily to support the work of the Alabama Butterfly Atlas.
“I was tremendously touched and appreciative, because this, this will be instrumental in keeping something that’s very important to me and that I’ve worked so hard on to help make sure that it will be in place for future generations,” Ogard says. “Whenever you have a nonprofit, you always have concerns about what happens when I’m gone, about it having enough money to keep going. By her establishing this fund, it helped alleviate some of that worry for me and others who support the Atlas.”
A Vision for Alabama
“Peggy’s vision for Alabama was one where its rich history and natural beauty would be preserved for future generations to learn from and enjoy,” Bowles says.
Hair wanted to protect Alabama’s unique ecosystems, such as butterfly habitats, to ensure that future Alabama residents could experience the natural beauty that she cherished.
“Peggy hoped that future generations would not only hear the voices and appreciate the stories of Alabama’s past but also learn from that history — caring for the state’s people and responsibly stewarding its resources,” Bowles says.
Hair knew she couldn’t bring this vision to fruition on her own.
“Peggy had a clear vision for what she wanted to accomplish but also understood the importance of partnering with the right organization to help her achieve it,” Bowles says. “When she discussed her desire to support Alabama’s historic sites and natural habitats, the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham was the perfect partner. Their expertise in managing charitable gifts ensured that Peggy’s impact would last far beyond her lifetime.”
Living a Generous Life
For Hair, generosity was a way of life.
“She often spoke about how her parents instilled in her the importance of giving back, and that became a central theme in how she lived,” Bowles says.
Hair was a lifelong nonprofit development professional who dedicated her career to raising funds for noteworthy organizations. Her final position at Alabama Public Television established her as a pillar in the local nonprofit landscape.
“Her career was dedicated to helping organizations with their planned giving, and she didn’t just apply those principles professionally — she embodied them personally,” Bowles adds. “Even as her health declined, Peggy remained thoughtful in her planning and saving, always ensuring that the causes she cared about would be supported long after she was gone. Her decision to establish donor-advised funds before her passing was a testament to her intentional and generous spirit.”
Hair’s choice not to attach her name to either of the funds also demonstrates her selflessness. Bowles says she never wanted the funds to be about her.
“It was important to Peggy that the focus remained on the causes, not on her,” Bowles says. “She believed this would encourage others to contribute more freely to these causes.”
Hair established both the Alabama Historic Preservation Fund and the Alabama Butterfly Conservation Fund as donor-advised funds, and she named as advisors her close friends with expertise in the areas of interest. With donor-advised funds, the fund advisors can be directly involved with grantmaking by recommending grants from their funds to their favorite charities.
“Many people loved Peggy, and she clearly left a mark on countless lives. I’m grateful to count myself as one of them,” Bowles says. “Working with her as her Certified Financial Planner was a joy, and I’m thankful to have played a small part in helping her realize her dream of leaving legacies that will make a lasting difference in the causes that mattered most to her.”
Hair’s love of history made her a strong ambassador for APT even beyond her scope of work. She was such a champion of the station and of history that APT named one of its Alabama History Day awards for her.
“Peggy truly was the most generous person I’ve ever met,” Bowles says, “and her legacy will continue to reflect that kindness for years to come.”
Learn more about Legacy Giving with the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham.