BRUCE--Beverlee. The Board of Directors, Overseers and staff of the International Rescue Committee and the Board of Directors, Commissioners and staff of the Women's Refugee Commission are deeply saddened by the death of our dear colleague Beverlee Bruce. A social anthropologist, development specialist and educator, Dr. Bruce served as Chair of the Women's Refugee Commission from 1995 to 1999. She joined the Board of the International Rescue Committee in 1995 and was chair of its Program Committee from 2000 to 2005. She became an IRC Overseer in 2007. Dr. Bruce traveled extensively to assess the needs of refugee women and children and led the Women's Refugee Commission delegation to the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995. We express our deepest sympathies to her son, Darryl Bruce; her sisters, Shirlee Smith and Angela Pickett; and her brother, Eugene Pickett. International Rescue Committee, Alan R. Batkin and Jonathan L. Wiesner, Board Co-Chairs George Rupp, President Women's Refugee Commission Glenda Burkhart and Dina Dublon, Board Co-Chairs Carolyn Makinson, Executive Director
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by A grateful student from Howard University, Cheryl Poinsette Brown.
Dr. Bruce would understand and "get" the power and the point of the new movie The Woman King. I smile as I think of her own warrior ways--and how she helped me find my own warrior inside. Thank you and Ashé
Cheryl Poinsette Brown
School
September 17, 2022
MY DEAR HIGH SCHOOL FRIEND. FUN WE HAD.
REST IN PEACH.
CORA.
CORA CUEN
December 4, 2015
ESSENCES AND METAPHORS
We are all composed of only two things-
our essences and our metaphors.
Her metaphor was cloth.
She had hundreds of outfits made from the richest of kente, mudcloth, kuba, and aso oke.
She looked really good in the swath of ethnicity.
One day, somebody stole her dry cleaning, all thirty-seven dresses, shawls and jackets...a hat.
Just for a minute she set them down to bring in the groceries. When she returned, the clothes were gone. Friends and neighbors cried in indignation. But she was quiet and said only a few words, "Somebody just needs those clothes more than I do."
Life's changes are not always made from the minister's vestments
or the fabric of the threapist's couch but from the tapestry of interwoven souls.
She was a great weaver,this one,
who managed secretly to orchestrate
the clothing of thousands of refugee women,
the swaddling of untold displaced babies,
the canvas and thatch of shelter,
the sale of quilts to fund education,
the actualization of robes of justice to fight the crime of genocide,
the intertwining of international flags of understanding,
the caps and gowns sported by Liberian students,
bestowed through her generosity.
If we took her gift of cloth, we could wrap the world ten times over.
But cloth is finite.
The closet filled with her remaining dresses will be emptied.
The clothes of her fifty years of giving probably do not remain and the canvas of temporary homes might have given way to sand and wind.
Finite things just break down.
Metaphors are finite but their essences are not.
They continue to live in some undiscovered, timeless, non-dimensional place.
Maybe it's in Plato's world of the Forms or in the non-locality of the quantum world.
Maybe these essences live on in the human heart.
All we know is that they continue to exist and they continue to empower.
Everything the weaver did she did with her grace of being.
Because of that, every thread became a ray of hope.
-Ruth Ded-Friedman
October 2009
For Dr. Beverlee Bruce. Based on memories of Carmen, Carol, Ruth, Selma & Vivian
Sisters Forever
October 20, 2011
As the Nigerian proverbs say:
A tree does not move unless there is wind.
If death be terrible, the fault is not in death but in thee.
To All Colored Girls
An Original Work written by
Neema Kamaria Hanifa-Pickett
A Poem for my dear Aunt Beverlee Bruce
As Presented at your Memorial Services
What of this legacy
Passed through me generationally
Blood lines that bind our history
Her story is the story in you,
It is the story in me
Little colored girls who long to get out
Searching to be found
Drifting against the wayside ,
holding dream catchers to the winds of time
She was not politically correct when she said it
Never spoke in turn
But she did it
Had the PHD to prove it ,
And we pause to remember life,
Some call it the absence of breath,
I call it freedom
Little colored girl, Little colored girl
Where you at?
It Just ain’t your day to die
not yet, NOT YET
Eyes met
Upon blood spilled floors
Voices echo through her head
of laughter just this mourn-
Ing,
but even love and tear drops running can’t bring them back
Breath pushing her forward, feet moving by instinct
Running for life out a back door
Hate kills, it steals and replaces joy with fears
But little colored girls can not be afraid
Your momma didn’t raise you that way
Yeah she cleaned them old white peoples house
And she did it smiling all the way
Grandmother Smiley knew that her work was not in vain
One day, her little colored girls were going to college
And they did
Had the Audacity to hope
For something more than
Little colored girls should want for
Dreamed big and big dreams made
Lawyer, Writer & Doctor of Anthropology
This is only the beginning,
that is why we call it a legacy
There is a wealth of information that must be preserved
For future generations to learn from
to inspire little colored girls from every nation to rise up
There is a world that should give
clean water, food, and shelter, every freedom
every pursuit of education
Because humanity must be heard
And You must listen,
aging is the age old battle we war against
but remember it makes way for each of us to live
Be present in it
This is what she believed in
Deeply rooted in the fibers of this community
Spinning out new realities, fighting in the battle for equality
This is her legacy,
She was next door neighbor to some
To others Doctor or Professor,
Big Bad Beverlee Bruce in her youth
Mommy to one son
Older sister to the younger ones
But to me, she was Auntie,
Always standing taller than me, fuller then me, Wiser, Stronger,
more Powerful then me
Just like that Nigerian tree, listen to the branches as they sing
They are still now, as the wind moves softly
My hands and legs outreached to embrace thee
As we must grow, and not in a shadow
As they Say,
“A tree does not move unless there is wind that blows”
Be the breeze , moving through the tree’s, this is Aunties legacy
Neema Pickett
September 23, 2011
Aunt Beverlee,
As life continues to twist and turn I am reminded of you in so many spaces. I am a Jr. in college now at the age of 32. I finally made it back, my course of studies are Clinical Psychology and Anthropology. 18 credit hours is such a huge undertaking but I am determined to finish in 3 semesters. Why? Because no one said it can't be done. Hannaiyah started her moon cycle and will be 13 this October. Do you remember when we came to visit you in NY, overlooking the Twin Towers from your high rise office. And even those buildings have been laid to rest. New Ground has been broken and new structures are nearing completion. Maya said it best "Out of the Huts of History's Shame I Rise."
Our two years living in China was amazing and has changed me forever, thank you for insisting that I must go. Returning now to the USA each day has struggles of its own.My Salon is still going after 8 years (I know you are proud, and yes we still do individual eye lashes!) My marriage needs nurturing and I am a bit weary. But today I posted your poem which I cried all the way through giving at your Memorial. Until now the piece was stored away in computer land, but today I released Auntie's Poem.
I love you and miss you still.
Loving You Always, your niece.
"The Little Colored Girl."
Neema Kamaria Hanifa
Neema Pickett
September 9, 2011
Rasheed Pickett
September 9, 2011
Dr. Bruce was director of the Honors Program when I matriculated to Howard University in the 1970s. She taught a course "Literature as Anthropology: The Black Woman" which opened my mind to the ideas of interdisciplinarity and serious scholarship of the African world. I later encountered her with another of my mentors, Fatimah Jackson, while I was doing a bio-anthropology project in Liberia. I was saddened to learn of her passing, and especially so long after the fact. She challenged me and countless others to stive for excellence and relevance in our professional lives. I can only hope to exert a fraction of her influence on my charges. "It is your path that I walk". She is missed.
Myron Williams
September 7, 2011
Neema Pickett
October 22, 2010
Neema Pickett
October 22, 2010
Neema Pickett
October 22, 2010
Just the thought of your soul led me to this unfortunate discovery and outcome we all must pass when time allows. My friend signed me off into a UN position and 1982 was never the same. My condolences to the family and may her spirit be captured in everyone's soul. Salaam my sister!
Gregory Durrette
August 25, 2010
Dr. Beverlee Bruce was an inspiration to those of us learning about international development and women's and children's issues worldwide. I had the great pleasure of meeting her on several occasions back when I studied at Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government, served on the board of American Refugee Committee and was involved with the Beijing Women's Conference. Beverlee took the time to have coffee with me on several visits to New York, so graciously mentored other women exploring the work of the Women's Commission and IRC, and was an incredible mentor, teacher, advocate, scholar and leader. She touched so many lives. I will always remember her smiling face, her outgoing and welcoming nature and her brilliance and compassion surrounding the needs of vulnerable women and children. Her loving spirit is alive and well as evidenced through the lives of so many. Blessings to her family.
Sue Klaseus
July 31, 2010
Hello, My name is Michael Okeyo.
I am the son of Dr. Achola Pala. She was a great friend of my mother's and a colleague. My mother told me of her as well. I unfortunately didn't have the pleasure of meeting Mrs. Beverlee Bruce before her departure from the physical world. However as a sister and woman of the African Family she will be missed and remembered for her remarkable humanitarian and academic efforts and accomplishments. I wish the best for her family and may you all stay strong. Dr. Beverlee Bruce is now looking down upon us from the heavenly skies and is wishing us the same.
God bless.
Michael Okeyo
March 31, 2010
Dr. Bruce was one of a kind! My husband and I remember her fondly from her days as our professor and mentor at Howard. She was integral to our early understanding of the life of Maggie L. Walker when we began the project in 1984. She left Howard soon after for "greener days," and we did not keep up with her, but every now and then we'd fondly recall her with a smile. It's wonderful to know how many people's lives she affected. May you be comforted in knowing how much she was loved!
Kim and Terence Leathers
February 5, 2010
Beverlee, Carol Henderson-Tyson and I as students and Claudia Mitchell-Kernan as faculty, integrated the graduate anthropology program at Harvard in 1969-70. Beverlee from Roosevelt High School in East Los Angeles and I from Jordan High School in Watts! What a team. We maintained our close relationship until Beverlee's departure. I knew when I heard, "Colored chile, where are you?" on my answering machine that I'd better hurry and return that call to her. What beauty she had!!
Jerry Wright
November 16, 2009
The American Friends Service Committee Women's Program was fortunate to have Beverlee as one of its committee members. She brought depth and breath to all of our discussions. Her gracious and practical manner was a gift to all of us. We were shocked and saddened to hear of her death but feel grateful that some of us were able to be with her last July here in Philadelphia . She will be sorely missed.
Angela Berryman
November 9, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Teresa Leslie
November 7, 2009
I met Beverlee in the early 1960's when she was managing an EDD office in Hollywood, CA. I was conducting a research on unemployed people for a study of hard-core unemployment in Watts before the riot afor the Institute of Industrial Relations at UCLA. We needed comparative data for other areas of the city, so she sent me every tenth claimant. Beverlee said she always wanted to complete her graduate education. I encouraged her to come to UCLA and to my surprise, she did return in the mid-sixties. I returned to UCLA in 1969 and was in her office in the building where Bunchy Carter and John Huggins were killed. It was oe of the most memorable experiences of our lives.
My wife and I saw her last in the Schomburg Library in Harlem in July 1968. We pledged to meet at the 40th Anniversary of the Center for African American Studies at UCLA, but she died at about that time.
We miss her very much. Our prayers are with her family.
Bob and Helen Singleton
Robert Singleton
November 5, 2009
Jerard M. Matherson
October 31, 2009
I met Beverlee as we were both members of the Nationwide Women's Program Committee of the American Friends Service Committee. Her contributions to our work was filled with heartful insights and intelligent analysis that surely derived in part from the committed work she did on behalf of women and refugees all over, but particularly Liberia. Having just seen her a short while ago in Philadelphia, I was completely shocked about this news of her untimely death. I was so looking forward to spending some more personal moments of adventure with her here in NYC. We of the Women's Program Committee will miss her greatly. My condolences to her son, family members and friends.
Leah Margulies
October 29, 2009
Beverlee was a colleague,extended family member and indeed deeply respected and loved. We have often talked about shared experiences in west Africa and the implications in the U.S. We will miss her humor, creativity,wisdom and deep commitment to family. I share a profound since of loss. We love you Bev.
Stanley Wilson
October 22, 2009
Beverlee was my "big sister". We laughed together, ran about NYC to different events and shared special moments together. I will miss the weekly report on everyday life and the progress of President Obama. Most of all I will miss her frantic messages when she couldn't reach me "Where are you?" and her calming voice when I was upset. I give thanks for her life and the many people she touched by her presence.
Selma Jackson
October 22, 2009
Beverlee was a colleague, a mentor, and a friend. We will miss her, but we'll cherish the times we shared and will always value the knowledge we gained from her.
Jim and Lyn Gray
Monrovia, Liberia
October 20, 2009
Beverlee has left an indelible mark on the hearts of Liberians and humanitarians worldwide. Her passion for making a difference in lives permeated every molecule of her being and one could not help but get drawn to it. Beverlee, thanks for a wonderful and transformative time with Pat Hough and I at the little Vietmese bistro around the corner...Many thanks to her family for sharing the "force" that was Beverlee with us - she will be dearly missed.
Here's to you Beverlee, for expanding minds and nurturing spirits,
Romelle A. Horton, Cuttington University, Liberia
Romelle Horton
October 20, 2009
I don't remember a time when I didn't know Beverlee. Her father and my father were best friends. Her Mother and my mother were soul sisters.
Beverlee was a big sister to me. Not only someone who protected me but someone who loved and nurtured me.
That ability to nurture, to inspire and to give confidence to, is what I will most remember of this loving African woman.
She spent her life well.
Ernest Wilson,
Los angeles
ernest wilson
October 20, 2009
We come this way but once that I know of. And granted a finite window of opportunity to touch and be touched. Live and let live, give and let give. My Aunt Bev always received me with the warmest of arms. She inspired me to speak, even when no one wanted to listen. And above all else, to never apologize for just being me. I can honestly say she loved me and it was such an honor to love her in return. Even today, as I write it feels strange because I feel my Aunt all around me. That is the beauty of death, the soul is set free... :O)
Neema Pickett
October 19, 2009
Beverlee's spirit has moved on to her next level in life after fulfilling so many wonderful, wonderful purposes in her past level. Her love, peace and joy will be welcomed by the angels with open arms.
She was a loving part of our family and her beautiful smile will be sorely missed.
Elzie and Barbara O. Lewis
Barbara O. Lewis
October 19, 2009
Beverly will truly be missed. I met her through our work with Friends of Liberia, Inc and as a Liberian, she was one of the board members I was drawn to. She reminded me of the women in my family and she brought a refreshing perspective and knowledge to FOL that I thought was very on point with needs of and the things that matter most to the average Liberian. She did not shy away from being direct and to the point.
I also learned a lot from her stories of her experience in Liberia. She was very empowering and it impacted my own development. She truly made an impact in this world and will be missed.
My condolences to her family.
Candace Eastman
October 19, 2009
I am still overwhelmed by the loss of Beverly who was such a generous person to everyone. She was a delight to be around with her warm smile, her sense of humor and warm personality. I met Beverly through BMCC and was amazed to learn of her involvement with Friends of Liberia and the Women's Commission. She was a valuable member of our book club.We lost her way too soon. My condolences to her family.
Pat Hough
October 19, 2009
Her legacy lives on in the lives of Daryl and Pam, of Bernice and Angela,of Shirlee andPhoenix,Paul,Peggy Pia and all the meshpucha she shared with me when we were single parents and classmates at Cal State U. at L.A. May the family flourish.
Laurel Moss
October 19, 2009
I feel blessed to have known Beverlee. We met during meetings to draft NGO input in advance of the Beijing conference eons ago and stayed in touch, having lunch about once a year to catch up a bit. I miss her humor and her very wise counsel. My sympathies to her family for the loss of this amazing woman.
Lynda Selde
October 19, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of grief. Although we only knew Beverlee a short time, we knew she was a special person. She will be missed. The Pritchett Family
Kim Pritchett
October 19, 2009
Please accept my condolences to you and your family for the loss of a good friend and mentor. Dr. Bruce and I worked on several occasions evaluating projects or participating in forums on Liberia. I quite admired her passion for Liberia and we as Liberians are quite grateful for her contributions to our country and all those lives she touched. She truly will be missed. She led a research team for which I was apart of, which took us to some very difficult terrain in Liberia. That experience however, was quite an adventure where we shared so many funny moments. I am grateful to have met her and inspired to have shared those wonderful moments with her. We have truly lost a giant on the forefront of advocacy for Africa. She will be missed. I pray that you find solace in knowing that she lived a full life, one far too many people only dream of. May God bless you all and grant her soul perfect peace.
Axel Addy
October 18, 2009
I never met Dr. Beverlee Bruce, the Scholar, the Professor.....,I met the lady across the street with the lovely smile, the warm eyes that reflected her soul, the woman who laughed from deep in her belly, and shed a tear over the silliest of things. I met the woman who had a heart of gold and I got to know her from the inside out. Now I miss looking across the street and seeing the light from her window, I miss going to performances with her, and I miss the lady who gave so much and asked nothing in return. That's the Beverlee I knew, and she was without a doubt, Barak Obama's other Mama. Beverlee lived, she laughed and she loved.
Sandra Cherry
October 18, 2009
Among Beverlee's greatest contributions to us is her son, Darryl Gregory Bruce. Her passion and her spirit live on through Darryl. He is a remarkable man who continues to adore her. She also adored him and took pride in him and in their relationship.
Angela Pickett
October 17, 2009
Indelible remembrance. Joined in sorrow with who loved her. And in joy with having had her love us back. Beverlee gave and gave wherever she found herself. Her essence lives on.
John Stewart
October 9, 2009
Beverlee Bruce and I go back to LACC/LASC in the 50's--
she'd call up out of the blue and start riffing; then she'd laugh that inimitable laugh only hers. I was teaching at Harvard when she was struggling with her doctoral dissertation; then she'd run off to some new area of inquiry: very restless soul, and soulful to a fault. Blessing on all her kin: the ancestors are happy to have her: libations all around. Michael S. Harper
Brown University
Providence, RI 02912-1923
michael harper
October 9, 2009
How Beverlee, Dr. Bruce's presence will be missed in this world! From Cambridge/Boston to DC to Liberia to New York to China; from Harvard to BMCC to City to Columbia; from St. Paul AME to Bridge Street AWME---awesome does not even begin to describe the "work" Beverlee did with us and with me personally and the life/wisdom she shared. Tears will continue to well up for a while but the "Light" of Bev's life will be long carried in my heart, in my daughter's heart, and in the hearts of so many who have been "touched" by this earth angel.
My condolences to Bev's family, especially to her much beloved son, Daryl and niece, Pam.
Olivia(Libby) Cousins
October 4, 2009
May the family find solace in knowing how Beverlee positively impacted so many during her life time.
My prayers to the family.
Beverly Hawkins
October 1, 2009
Rest in peace, Dr. Bruce. You were one of a kind and you will be missed.
Momoh Sekou Dudu
September 23, 2009
Showing 1 - 40 of 40 results
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read more