The stakes have never felt higher and a pandemic wasn’t going to stop her voting.
A photo of a 102-year-old former teacher voting is taking the internet by storm. Having voted in every election since 1940 Beatrice Lumpkin wasn’t going to let Coronavirus get in the way her way this year and she headed out to cast her ballot in what she calls the “most important election of my life” because “democracy is on the line.”
The photo shared by Chicago Teachers Union shows Bea Lumpkin casting her vote by mail. She grips her ballot with gloved hands and a huge grin can be seen even through the helmet of a personal hazmat suit made by her grandson.
Good morning! This is 102-year-old CTU retiree Bea Lumpkin casting her vote-by-mail ballot. If Bea can do it, anyone can do it. Vote! pic.twitter.com/WZHquUoQz5
— Chicago Teachers Union (@CTULocal1) October 1, 2020
According to Bea she first needed to suit up to ensure her safety so she put on the personal protective gear that includes a fan and a filter and walked out proudly. As well as the makeshift Hazmat suit her grandson provided her with a whole pile of reusable gloves and he makes sure she puts on the protective gear even to take the garbage out.
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 #EverybodysUnion (@steelworkers) October 1, 2020
Be like Beatrice. Vote.https://t.co/2xxrDzsUBQ
— Governor Jay Inslee (@GovInslee) October 5, 2020
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
Be Like Be!