Not everyone gets to grow up with Judy Beggs as a mother.
Of course, when I was growing up, and even now, really, she was just the human I know as Mom (or M.M. which stands for Marvelous Mom). We never do know really the extrordinariness of people we know well.
Anyway, my Mom: The girl who was confined to girl-dom in the 50s and 60s and 70s . . . not allowed to go see the big world and take charge of it. But what’s that that they say these days? . . . Nevertheless, She Persisted.
Judy Beggs broke the rules. Law School when women didn’t really do that; Discovering the outdoors at 40; Peace Corps at 50; being an outdoor guide and changer of lives in her 60s; retiring into a full time passion for Gueoul and the education of girls which took her to the desert 25 times in the last 15 years. . . and counting!
Mom still serves on the Board of Friends of Guéoul and is the Cultural Liaison Key to the Castle as she helps our new Executive Director, Elke McGuire (also a woman of adventure!) find her way in Senegal.
I’m lucky to be influenced and formed by someone who doesn’t take no for an answer. We can all call ourselves lucky if she’s fighting on our side!
That’s it for now. There’s more to say, always, about my Mom, Judy Beggs.
Niki Richardson