Pictured Above: In 2016, Julie Beach lost her sister to suicide. ‘There were times I would put in my headphones and I would walk to the beach and I would just cry because I missed my sister so much I couldn’t even stand it anymore,’ Beach said.
Patrick Tobin | The Crow’s Nest
By Catherine Hicks
Ever since Julie Beach enrolled at USF St. Petersburg in 2018, liberating herself from a toxic relationship and dedicating herself to her studies, she has focused on giving back to others, rather than on what she has lost.
“When I was having really bad days here on campus, I would go out to the beach and I would pick up trash,” Beach said. I know that’s totally bizarre, but I really did do it, because whenever I struggle, if I do something that makes things better for anyone or the planet or whatever; if I give back instead, it alters (my) mind.”
In 2016, Beach, who was 31, lost her oldest sister to suicide and became the caregiver to her nephew and niece; Carlton, 11 and Julianna, 18.
“There were times I would put in my headphones and I would walk about to the beach and I would just cry because I missed my sister so much I couldn’t even stand it anymore,” Beach said. “And I’m like ‘how am I supposed to go to this next class when I’m like – I’m wrecked.’ And I’d just stand there for a little bit, with my toes in the water and start picking up trash.”
Beach expressed that her family is one of her number one priorities.
“Family is really important to me,” Beach said, “I moved down here (from Michigan) in 2012, because my mother’s husband passed away and I moved down to take care of her. My sister killed herself in 2016 and I have her kids. My dog isn’t a person, but he’s super important to me.”
Beach is a first-year graduate student in the Florida Studies program at USF St. Petersburg, after graduating with her bachelor’s in interdisciplinary social sciences last spring. She isn’t sure what she wants to do with her education, but dreams of one day having a doctorate.
“I want a Ph.D or a law degree eventually,” Beach said. “I have for pretty much all of my life, I’ve just never known what I wanted it in. I want to be a badass scientist – I am kind of a badass scientist – but I don’t know. I have really simple goals. Most of my life, I’ve just wanted to be happy. That’s it. Like if it doesn’t work out to get a Ph.D or even finish grad school – am I happy? Do I have food on my table and my kids are taken care of?
“As long as I can continue helping people and slowly making things just a little bit better for one person.”
Beach is passionate about helping others, saving and protecting the environment and ensuring social justice. She volunteers at a homeless donation service that provides toiletries and other necessities to the homeless and is part of a postcard mailer that reaches out to individuals in jail to remind them that they have the ability to vote.
“I’m passionate about the environment and people – taking care of them, providing for them, being an ally to (them) and making sure they know they have a safe space,” Beach said. “I want to change the world,” she continued, with a disbelieving laugh.
Those who know Beach aren’t as doubtful.
“Julie has a high degree of social consciousness and a genuine interest in nature and the environment,” said Nancy McCann, professor and mentor to Beach since they met in Beach’s first semester during a nature and culture class McCann taught. “I’m not surprised one bit that Julie is now a graduate student in Florida Studies. I can’t wait to see some of the work she will do and contributions she will make.”
Claudia Martinez, a friend of Beach, notes that Beach always finds time to help others.
“I’ve seen her help out so many people, even offering her friends to (let them) stay with her when they had no place to go,” Martinez said. “She always finds time to help others, she donates, she’s willing to educate, she has time to listen if anyone needs to vent.”
Martinez shared a pivotal moment in her life which Beach influenced tremendously. At 19, Martinez was in her first serious relationship and very nearly committed to marriage, a house and adopting children. When she expressed to Beach that she was having some doubts, Beach asked if she was sure she was doing what she truly wanted.
“It woke me up,” Martinez said. “I appreciated her so much for that. If it hadn’t been for her, I probably would still be asleep – living a very different life.”
Beach’s closest friends admire her selflessness and her ability to remain positive.
“Julie is a person who is empathetic to the extreme, she cares about everyone and everything,” said Brandon Gallerani, a longtime friend that invited Beach to speak at her wedding. “When her sister passed, she took on the burden of helping (to) raise her niece and nephew, maintaining a full-time income to provide for them and caring for her mother, while also being in school full-time. She fosters animals, volunteers constantly to feed the homeless or provide safety packages and cares about the environment, globally and locally.”
Beach attended the wedding as a speaker.
“She is the kind of person that never complains about her situation, just looks for solutions on how to make it work. Honestly, I don’t know how she does it.”
“Her altruism extends beyond her family and into the world,” said Alexandra Hood, who has known Beach since 2006. She cares deeply for the health and wellbeing of all people. She organizes to get supplies and food to the homeless in her community. She fights tirelessly to change negative stereotypes about people and gives everyone a chance. She never beats anyone down for their perspective, instead working to educate with statistics and facts.”
“Family, the environment and the betterment of the world for all people are (the most important things to her). Julie is not shaken by fear, she works hard for all of these things.”
I am Julie’s aunt, and I am so proud of her.
Julie is truly a remarkable young woman. I too am very proud to be her aunt. All of us in the family look to her with pride and know she is going to make a difference…in fact she already is every. single. day.
I’m Julie’s cousin. We connected earlier this year for the first time. It has been a true blessing during such a dark time. I’m in awe of her great works and energy. Makes me strive to be better. She makes me think differently which is a true gift. She’s had a great impact on me in a few short months.
University of South Florida is blessed to have a student/teacher like Ms. Julie Beach. I have only know her for a few months but can attest to the positive things that this article says about her character. I know there is no limit to what she can achieve. May God continue to provide and surprise you and your family.