Isabelle Beckwith, seated is surrounded by members of the Zetas Alpha Phi Zeta Chapter and the Sigmas Kappa Delta Sigma Chapter. From left are Craig Hathaway, Mike Hart, Kiera Teague, Dannette Montague, Vanessa Hernandez, Steven Conaway, Tovin Lewis I, Janetta Varrie, Woodrow Bailey, Cassandra Washington, L C Echols, Carl Houston, and Ali Khan. (Courtesy photo)
Isabelle Beckwith, a 103 years-old resident of Leimert Park, was recently honored by the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Alpha Phi Zeta Chapter, and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Kappa Delta Sigma Chapter.
Explaining the reason for the recognition, Steve Conaway said, “Ms. Beckwith, who is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, served others throughout her career and she continues to share her wisdom, knowledge and beautiful spirit with everyone she meets. She has illustrated the mission of both the Zetas and Sigmas to be of service to our local communities.”
In fact, witnessing the Zetas serve others persuaded Ms. Beckwith to become a member of the organization in 1943 while studying at Southern University in Louisiana.
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“I was an honor student, and the AKAs (Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority) wanted me to join, the Deltas (Delta Sigma Theta Sorority) wanted me, a Caucasian sorority wanted me, and there was the Zetas,” she recalled.
“It was around Thanksgiving time, and they gave baskets to two families who didn’t have food. I said to myself, ‘I like giving this family food’ and that’s when I joined the Zetas,” Ms. Beckwith said.
After graduation, she relocated to Los Angeles and worked more than 25 years with LAUSD. When Ms. Beckwith retired, she was the principal of Alta Loma Elementary School in the Mid-City area of L.A.
As for the secret to her long life, Ms. Beckwith insists that “eating peanuts and ice cream is the key to my longevity.”
Counting her blessings, she added, “I’m happy to be 103 years old and I’m just thankful to God that I am able to be here. I get up every morning and I see the sunshine, I feel good. I don’t have any pain. I have all of my teeth, and I love to eat!”