In Memory of Joi Beard

May 30, 2012 -

Legal Momentum is saddened over the recent passing of Joi Beard, teacher and contractor.  Joi was an inspirational woman and a pioneer in employment fields from which women have traditionally been excluded.  She was born in Kentucky and in 1979 entered an electrician apprenticeship program in Louisville.  She became an electrician in New York City, and also an electrical contractor after she formed her own business, Derby Electric.  She also taught and mentored other women who wanted to enter nontraditional jobs through the Local 3 apprenticeship program, Nontraditional Employment for Women, and the Consortium for Workers Education Program.  Her memorial will be held on May 31st from 10:15 to 12 at the SUNY Queens Educational Opportunity Center 158-29 Archer Avenue in Jamaica, NY.

We at Legal Momentum will especially miss her passion and commitment to sharing her career pathway and professional success with middle and high school students through our Pipeline Project.

You can read an interview with Joi here at Sisters in the Brotherhoods by Jane LaTour.