At 102 years old, Beatrice Lumpkin has lived through a lot. The ex steelworker and teacher has lived through World War II, experienced the days of Women’s Liberation in the 60s and 70s, and 18 US Presidents have served during her life. She has voted in every election since 1940.
“It’s always important to vote, but this election — it’s the most important one of my life,” she told The Washington Post.
She said it’s not just because “we’re in the middle of a pandemic” but because “democracy is on the line.”
After 80 years of voting, this year Bea’s vote has garnered international attention thanks to her ballot posting outfit. Heading up to her local mailbox, mail-in ballot in hand, Bea was clad head to toe in specially designed PPE.
The hazmat style head wear, designed by her grandson, features a fan and a filter, and was delivered to her along with a “whole pile” of reusable gloves.
“Being 102, my family insisted I take every precaution not to catch this COVID-19,” she told The Washington Post.
Her grandson in particular, insists that she wear the one-of-a-kind PPE. “He wants me to — and I do — put on all of that gear just to take the garbage out,” she said.
Covered head to toe in protective gear as she posted the envelope, grinning from behind her hood, Bea criticised the current president’s handling of the pandemic, adding that she hoped people seeing her in all her get up would encourage people to follow suit.
“We have a president who is in the grips of this, who knows he’s very sick, and as soon as he got back to the White House … he took his mask off,” she said.
“I’m tired of being cooped up because of this virus … We’re never going to get rid of it unless we do what science tells us to do.”
The image of Beatrice in her PPE has been circulating the internet, with people calling for others to “Be like Bea” and to get out and vote.
Bea has been consistently voting since 1940, when she cast her ballot for Franklin D. Roosevelt. Be like Bea and VOTE! Make sure your voice is heard. https://t.co/u45R6wvBOm
— Governor Kate Brown (@OregonGovBrown) October 5, 2020
In a video shared by the United Steelworkers, Beatrice called for people to do their duty and vote in the upcoming election.
In the video, the 102 year old ex steelworker said “the world has changed, we have not” and encouraged others to stand up for unity and togetherness.
In her 102 years, Steelworker activist Bea Lumpkin has seen it all. Today, Bea has an important message for us: this really is the most important election of our lifetimes, and WE MUST VOTE! #USWVOTES #1u pic.twitter.com/1C4CshGS7h
— United Steelworkers (@steelworkers) October 1, 2020
And while Beatrice has been surprised by the attention her trip to the mailbox has garnered, she’s said that it’s for the best.
“If it helps encourage people to vote, I’m glad, because it’s so important,” she said.
Image Source: Chicago Teachers Union Instagram
