Uncrowned Community Builders

Mother, nurse, teacher, writer, researcher, trailblazer and advocate, all describe the endless energy, creativity, commitment and dedication that Fern E. Jackson Beavers has brought to the word "service." Born in Buffalo during the depression, she was influenced by the enduring strength, courage and forward thinking of her mother, Irene Twitty Jackson and grandmother, Ella Bradshaw Twitty. The eldest of four siblings, Fern recalls the stories of the family's enormous strength and courage while they worked in the cotton fields, raised chickens and worked as domestics in a climate of injustice. The decision to migrate to the North from Virginia created a backdrop bordered with opportunities for many Twitty family members.

It was Fern's admiration for the Grey Nuns that commenced her career in nursing.
After graduating from East High School, she completed her undergraduate work at Trocaire and D'Youville Colleges resulting in a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. In 1974, she was granted a Master of Science degree in nursing from the State University of Buffalo School of Nursing. In 1979, Fern was appointed by Governor Hugh L. Carey as a member of the Advisory Committee on Children and Youth. Her post Master's degree work at the University Services University in Bethesda, Maryland granted certification as an Adult Practitioner in Adult Health. Currently, she is employed at the Veteran's Administration Western NY Healthcare System.

Her nursing career has been embraced with funded research activities, health related educational programs publications, and national presentations. She has received both local and national recognition for her work and in 1989 she was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society of Nursing. For ten years, Fern served as a clinical instructor for third year medical students at the University of Buffalo School of Medicine in psychiatry. She currently serves as a member of the accreditation team for the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. She has served as an Equal Employment Opportunity Investigator for the Department of Veterans Affairs and currently serves as the Minority Veterans Coordinator (collaborative duty) for the VA Western NY Health Care System. As co-investigator on several pharmaceutical research projects commissioned by the Department of Mental Health, she developed a video and a publication discussing mental health issues and its effects on family members. For the past five years, she has spent time collecting stories from military men and women with the intent of publishing their stories.

Throughout the years, Fern has shared her skills and talents by participating in community activities, church projects, professional organizations and collaborative projects at work. Her community work is highlighted by the time spent serving on the following boards: St. Augustine Center, March of Dimes, Geneva B. Scruggs, Women for Human Rights and Dignity, Inc., Girl Scouts of America,
D' Youville College, Helen Nannie Burroughs Board (Washington, DC) and the American Heart Association, Inc. (Pillars of Change Committee). Fern also served on the planning board for the first Community Healthcare Center at 80 Goodrich Street.

Fern is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Gamma Phi Omega Chapter and The Links, Inc. Erie County Chapter and she served as vice president of the Phyllis Wheatley Club (Buffalo Chapter). She holds membership in the Afro-American Historical Association of WNY and the United States Colored Troops Institute for Local History and Family Research. Fern is a founding member of the Lydians, the first Western New York African American investment club comprised of mothers and daughters.

Her church work incorporates trailblazing experiences adding to the historical evolution roles of women in the church. A lifelong member of the St. John Baptist Church, Fern served as the first female vice-chairperson and chairperson of the Trustee Board. This role allowed her the opportunity to participate in the unfolding of the McCarley Gardens (Board of Directors), St. John Senior Housing complex (Vice Chairperson Board of Directors), expansion projects of St. John and numerous other building projects. Fern's leadership was embraced as she chaired the Board of Christian Education, co-chaired the first city wide faith conference for women sponsored by the church, chaired the steering committee that established the first urban African American Christian school,
St. John Christian Academy, K-8th grade and she served as the first chairperson of the St. John Christian Academy Board.

Fern took pride in small gatherings of members to launch the next idea or project. In collaboration with members of the Board of Christian Education, the Historical Gallery at St. John Baptist Church was established. Fern served on the planning committee for the Buffalo Hospice House, the first of its kind in the nation. In collaboration with her friend Dr. Sharon Amos, she published historical documents regarding the church and produced a CD that unfolds the history of the church dating back to the founder, Reverend Burnie C. McCarley. The history of the church has been presented both locally and on a national level. She is in the process of co-publishing a book entitled "Yielding to the Spirit" a historical account of the St. John Baptist Church. She sought funding for an after school program for the developmentally disabled called "Project Joy" and the funding has continued for over ten years.

A widow and the mother of two, Gregory A. Beavers (Washington, DC) and Dr. Kelly Renee' Beavers-Clemons (Atlanta, Georgia), Fern's most cherished moments these days are spent with four very cerebral, electrifying, compassionate and loveable grandchildren: Stephen Anthony, Autumn Rhayne, Summer Soliel and Wynter Sierra.