Mountain Brook

And like surrounding white suburbs of Mountain Brook, Homewood and Hoover, Vestavia Hills competes on lifestyle, including its public schools.

I grew up in Mountain Brook, a wealthy suburb outside of Birmingham, Alabama, and we had sororities in high school, breeding grounds for future University of Alabama students and pledges.

In Mountain Brook, social capital hinged on appearances and lineage.

Greek life ended at Mountain Brook High School in the late '90s, after I graduated.

While her children were growing up, Ms. McLeod was active in garden clubs and the Junior League of Birmingham and was a member of the St. Luke’s Episcopal Church congregation in Mountain Brook, Ala., a Birmingham suburb.