Dr. Beverly Harrison made a name for herself in the field of law, but for those who know her best, what she has done in her career pales in comparison to what she has done for girls through golf.
That’s because for nearly 20 years, Harrison has empowered hundreds of girls as the site director of LPGA*USGA Girls Golf of Greater Newark.
This dedication to developing future generations of women is just one of the many reasons why Harrison has been honored with the 2023 Sandy LaBauve Spirit Award.
Named after the founder of LPGA*USGA Girls Golf, the Sandy LaBauve Spirit Award honors an individual who has gone above and beyond to inspire the lives of juniors through their passion and dedication to empowering girls through golf. LaBauve was an LPGA Teaching Professional in Phoenix, Arizona, and a mother of two daughters when she founded Girls Golf in 1989.
Harrison has always been driven. For example, she proved the value of dedication when she worked through a rigorous course of study to earn her Juris Doctor (JD) degree. Then for 36 years she served as a labor attorney and direct report to the presidents of a university and two colleges of the State University of New York. Retirement has certainly not slowed Harrison down, as she continues to work as both an arbitrator and mediator when not golfing.
Despite having such a demanding career, Harrison could not help but yearn for more. She wouldn’t have to look far however, as she was introduced to the Renaissance Junior Golf Program in the mid-90s. The non-profit organization was started by a group of minority businessmen from the Greater Newark area with the mission of expanding opportunities for inner city and minority youth to learn the game of golf. Harrison and her golf club, The Lady Drivers, quickly chose the program as their newest charity to support, but she didn’t stop there.
Driven by her passion for golf and the steadfast belief that every person with a desire to play the game should have the chance to do so, Harrison began volunteering on a regular basis. Seeing firsthand the impact this organization had on the youth, and girls especially, is what eventually led Harrison to establish Girls Golf of Greater Newark in 2005. Since then, she has worked tirelessly to provide the best experience possible for the participants.
“Beverly is someone who has really strong leadership qualities, and she is also one of those people that everyone quieted down to listen to,” shared Megha Ganne, a Girls Golf of Greater Newark alumna and current Stanford University standout. “She has such a palpable love for the game of golf, and she has always inspired me to be the most confident version of myself.”
In her relentless pursuit to broaden the horizons of these aspiring young golfers, Harrison initiated a speaker program within her chapter. By bringing in accomplished women from diverse segments of the golf industry, she exposes the girls to a spectrum of possibilities, stretching their visions and encouraging them to aspire to greater heights on and off the course.
Of all the traits these accomplished women share, having a strong voice and keen sense of self-expression are near the top of the list. Recognizing the importance of these qualities, Harrison is often heard telling participants to speak up in their “outside voices.” She further instills confidence by having girls speak on microphones each week and sharing what is on their minds in front of the group. This fosters a special sisterhood of boldness and empowerment.
Many of Harrison’s old school values are taught in the program, such as the art and discipline of the handwritten thank you note. She also preaches the importance of showing respect at all times. In fact, Harrison will stop a class or presentation if the girls need to be reminded to respect the speaker and/or not talk while others are speaking.
Harrison certainly prides herself, and the program, on the ability to empower, but she has by no means forgotten the importance of providing opportunity. That’s why she encourages her girls to partake in various community initiatives, as well as opportunities within the LPGA, like playing in the Cognizant Founders Cup Pro-Am at nearby Upper Montclair Country Club.
As the years have gone by, Girls Golf of Greater Newark has evolved from a junior program into a tight-knit family where older members become mentors for new participants. This is only fitting given Harrison’s heartfelt mission to uplift future generations of girls through golf.
Whether or not they stick with the game is up to them, but regardless, these women have all been given the tools to succeed in life, and for that, they owe a great deal of thanks to Miss Beverly.
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