Cindy Myrex’s path to the Alabama State House didn’t begin in politics.

For 18 years, she was a stay-at-home wife and mother. She later drove a school bus before building a successful real estate career.

Today, Myrex represents Alabama House District 12. Her journey, filled with family, work and public service, has earned her recognition as one of YHN Media Group’s 2026 Women of Impact.

The annual recognition honors women whose leadership, professional accomplishments and service are making a difference across Alabama.

“My career journey has never followed a perfectly straight path, but every season has prepared me for the next,” Myrex said.

Every season prepared her for the next

A lifelong Cullman County resident, Myrex said her years in real estate gave her opportunities to build relationships and help families through some of the biggest decisions of their lives. It also gave her a closer look at the challenges facing the people and communities around her.

“Through those relationships, I became increasingly aware of the challenges facing working families, small businesses, schools, first responders, and rural communities.”

Eventually, she felt God calling her into public service.

“Running for the Alabama Legislature required faith, sacrifice, and a willingness to step far outside my comfort zone,” Myrex said. “Today, I am deeply honored to serve as the Alabama State Representative for District 12.”

Before seeking office herself, Myrex had become active in Republican politics. She served as a Trump alternate delegate at the 2024 Republican National Convention and as a member of the Alabama Republican State Executive Committee representing Cullman County.

In 2025, she ran for the House District 12 seat following the resignation of former State Rep. Corey Harbison. Myrex won the special election in October and took office later that month.

More than a title

Myrex considers being elected to represent District 12 one of the greatest professional honors of her life, particularly because many of the people who elected her have known her throughout her life.

But she doesn’t measure the accomplishment simply by winning an election.

“It is what that opportunity allows me to do: advocate for our schools, support our first responders, help citizens navigate state government, protect the character of our communities, and work to ensure that Alabama remains a place where families and businesses can thrive.”

Myrex is also proud of the real estate career she built, describing it as a business developed one relationship at a time through hard work, honesty and trust.

“Whether helping someone purchase a first home, sell a family property, or begin a new chapter, I have never forgotten that real estate is ultimately about people—not transactions.”

That focus on people has followed her into public office.

Some of the moments when Myrex believes she has made the greatest difference aren’t necessarily the ones that result in legislation or public recognition. They can be helping a family that doesn’t know where else to turn, connecting a school or volunteer fire department with needed resources or simply listening to someone who feels unheard.

“When a constituent tells me, ‘Thank you for calling me back,’ or, ‘You helped me when I did not know what to do,’ I am reminded that making a difference does not always require a new law or a public announcement,” Myrex said. “Often, it begins with being available, listening carefully, and caring enough to follow through.”

Those encounters have reinforced another lesson for her.

“People may not remember every word we say, but they remember whether we showed up when they needed us.”

The people who shaped her

Myrex credits the people closest to her with helping shape the person and leader she became.

Her father gave her a strong work ethic, a love of serving others and high expectations for herself. Her mother taught her perseverance through the difficult circumstances she faced while Myrex was growing up.

“Her strength and unconditional love mean even more to me now as a mature woman than they did when I was growing up, because I have a much deeper understanding of what they required of her,” Myrex said.

Her stepmother also played an important role in her life, and Myrex is grateful for the different lessons, love and influence each of her parents gave her.

As an adult, longtime colleague and business partner Justin Dyar has been another important influence. The two have been colleagues for 20 years and business partners for the past 10.

“The loyalty, trust, and friendship we share are rare—in business and in life.”

Myrex has also learned from community leaders, educators, pastors, business owners, public servants and friends, while her faith remains her greatest source of guidance.

Conviction and grace

Her own challenges have provided lessons as well.

Building a business, raising a family, experiencing personal loss, entering politics and facing public criticism have all required perseverance.

“Campaigning and serving in public office taught me that leadership can be costly,” Myrex said. “It requires sacrifice, courage, and the strength to continue doing what is right even when your motives are questioned or your work is misunderstood.”

Adversity has also made her more aware that people may be dealing with difficulties others cannot see.

“Strong leadership requires conviction, but it also requires grace.”

For Myrex, continuing to grow as a leader also means remaining teachable. She seeks advice, listens to people with different experiences and expertise and learns from constituents who see firsthand how policies affect their families, professions and communities.

Her one true love

Through the different seasons of her life, Myrex said her family has kept her grounded.

She and her husband, Ricky, have been married for 39 years, but their story began long before their wedding.

“I have loved him since I was 10 years old,” Myrex said. “He was my first love and remains the one true love of my life.”

She describes her husband with a comparison to another famously private spouse.

“I often say that he is to me what Carl Dean was to Dolly Parton—he prefers to stay out of the spotlight, but he is certainly my bright light.”

Myrex credits his quiet strength and support with making it possible for her to pursue the opportunities that have come her way.

“Although he may not seek recognition, his influence can be found in every part of my life and every accomplishment that carries my name.”

Her children and grandchildren are also at the heart of why she serves. Myrex wants them — and every child in Alabama — to inherit a state where they have the freedom and opportunity to build meaningful lives and understand the value of faith, family, hard work, personal responsibility and service to others.

Those priorities shape what Myrex believes Alabama needs for the future. She points to strong schools, support for law enforcement and first responders, opportunities for working families and responsible use of taxpayer dollars. She also believes rural communities need a strong voice as Alabama grows.

“Growth can bring opportunity, but it must be managed thoughtfully, with respect for private property rights, infrastructure, natural resources, and the character of the communities people have spent generations building.”

A legacy of service

For women considering their own leadership roles, Myrex’s advice begins with knowing themselves.

“Know who you are before you allow the world to tell you who you should be,” she said. “Stay rooted in your faith and values, work hard, protect your integrity, and do not be afraid to enter rooms where no one expects you to be.”

Women, she believes, don’t have to change who they are to become leaders.

“Women can be strong without losing their compassion, principled without becoming hardened, and successful without sacrificing the qualities that make them uniquely effective.”

She also encourages women not to wait until they feel completely prepared before pursuing an opportunity.

“Be willing to learn, accept wise counsel, and keep moving forward,” Myrex said. “There will be criticism and disappointment, but neither should determine your worth or your future.”

And as women gain influence, she encourages them to use it to help others.

“True leadership is not measured only by how far you go, but by how many people are stronger because you were willing to serve.”

For Myrex, the legacy she hopes to leave ultimately comes back to the way she treated and served other people.

“I hope my legacy is one of faithfulness, integrity, and service,” she said. “I want my family and the people I represent to know that I loved them, listened to them, and worked diligently on their behalf.”

Despite a journey that eventually took her to the Alabama State House, Myrex said a title isn’t how she wants to be remembered.

“I do not need to be remembered for a title,” she said. “I would rather be remembered as someone who showed up, told the truth, stood firm when it mattered, helped others along the way, and never forgot where she came from.”