Uncrowned Community Builders

A native of Albany, New York, Joyce came to Buffalo, New York in 1973 with her husband, Winford A. Quick, M.D. to do his internship and residency at the Deaconess Hospital of Buffalo. She is the oldest of four children born to the late James and Fannie Ford. Joyce earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Central State University, Zenia, Ohio, and a Master of Arts degree in Special Education from the College of Saint Rose, Albany, New York in 1968. She attended SUNY at Albany and Buffalo State College as a post-graduate student is administration.

Joyce first taught special education in Latham, New York, while her husband attended Albany Medical College. She was the first African American teacher in that school system. In 1973, Joyce joined the faculty at West Seneca West Junior High School as a special education teacher, where she was the only African American teacher. From 1983 - 1987 she taught at North Junior High School, Saginaw, Michigan as a 9th grade teacher of Learning Disabilities. In 1988 the family moved to Chappaqua, New York. While living in Westchester County, Joyce taught at the Nellie Thornton Elementary School in Mount Vernon, New York. Upon returning to Buffalo in 1996, she came out of a very short retirement, at the request of the late Rev. Dr. Bennett W. Smith, Sr. to teach at St. John Christian Academy as a Universal Pre-­Kindergarten teacher.

Joyce started her community service activities at an early age and she understood the importance of the work of African American clubwomen both locally and nationally. These desires and skills were nurtured through the National Association of Colored Women's Club (NACW), and the National Association of Colored Girls' Club (NACG). Even as a high school student, Joyce was active in these historic organizations. Very early in her career, she became president of the National Association of Colored Girls Clubs and was president of her local organization, the Lawton Debs. Because of her membership in these organizations, she had numerous opportunities in participate in historic occasions. On one occasion she met with President John F. Kennedy at the White House to present a photo of Frederick Douglas.

Joyce was also no stranger to public speaking for which she had developed a passion. Clubwomen at both the national and local level recognized this skill. As a young woman in the NACG, Joyce placed second in a major oratorical contest. In 1962, for example, she attended the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs Convention in Washington, D.C., and was a speaker on the afternoon program. She was also a frequent visitor to the National Headquarters of the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs in Washington, D.C. Joyce continues to participate in the civic life and work in her community.

Joyce was a long standing member of one of the most important social and community service clubs in Buffalo, the Lit-Mus Club, a Federated Woman's club. Long time members of the Lit Mus Club such as Mary Crosby Chappelle and Carolyn B. Thomas were two of Joyce's mentors. Ms. Chappelle and Ms. Thomas are two of the most revered clubwomen in the Western New York area.

She is also no stranger to community recognition. Some of the awards she has received include the Humanitarian Award of Lakeside Family and Children Services of Rockland County, New York; 1490 Enterprises, Inc., 26th Annual Black Achievers Award and the Principal's Award, Nellie Thornton Elementary School, Mount Vernon, New York.

Joyce's membership affiliations include the Junior League of Buffalo; Lydians Investment Club; the Buffalo Chapter of the Links, Inc.; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; and the Buffalo Chapter of Girl Friends, Inc., where she is the President for the 2005 - 2007 club years. She is an active member and deaconess of St. John Baptist Church.

Joyce is married to Dr. Winford A. Quick, Medical Director, Tonawanda Engine Plant, Powertrain Division, General Motors Corporation. They are the proud parents of a son, Scott Andrew and daughter, Shayla Ann and grandson, Scott Andrew Quick, Jr.