Dr. Gemma Beckley

As a proud resident of Holly Springs Mississippi, I am pleased to offer this brief autobiographical sketch. Originally from Birmingham, Alabama I have resided in the Holly Springs community for over forty five years. As a product of public schools it is my goal to contribute to the best possible educational system that can be made available to all citizens. My educational accomplishments are because of the dedicated, passionate teachers, from whom I received my education while growing up in Birmingham. Following my public school education in the 60’s I attended and graduated from Dillard University (New Orleans) B.A. in Sociology; Atlanta University (Atlanta, Georgia) Masters of Social Work; Columbia University (New York) Doctorate of Social Welfare (D.S.W.). All degrees achievable because of my public school education, the support and determination, instilled within me by the teachers, community and family for whom I am eternally grateful. I have been employed as a Social Worker in numerous agencies and Social Work Educator in several Universities. Those Universities have included University of Mississippi, Grambling State University, and Fordham University and for the past twenty five years I have been a professor at Rust College, here in Holly Springs. I am the parent of two children, Jacqueline and Lisa, both of whom are graduates of the Holly Springs Public School system and who have gone on to complete their College and graduate education. Most importantly they are contributing members of society and strong believers in the power of education for all. My husband David Beckley and I have come to appreciate our community and we both know the power of a strong public school system for all citizens in Holly Springs, Marshall County, Mississippi and the nation. I am so proud of this opportunity to serve my community and the Holly Springs School system.