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“We’re a very ‘me first’ generation,” Christine M. Beady recently observed of contemporary society. “I believe we need to bring back a lasting sense of sacrifice and help people, especially younger generations, realize the world is greater than them.”
The 41-year-old has made her professional journey an advertisement for altruism, with The Chapel of the Four Chaplains, 1201 Constitution Ave., benefiting from her benevolence since February 2012. As The Philadelphia Navy Yard-situated location’s executive director, she has worked tirelessly to tout a mission with World War II roots.
“I just love the story,” the resident of the 2900 block of South Carlisle Street said of the Feb. 3, 1943 decision by four chaplains to give their life jackets to personnel aboard the U.S.A.T Dorcester, a victim of a submarine-issued torpedo. “Their legacy needs preservation, and I love being involved because I am truly committed to the mission of recognizing ordinary people for doing extraordinary things.”
The chapel, which President Harry S. Truman dedicated in ’51, had fallen on difficult financial times in the two decades before Beady arrived, but since she immersed herself in being a selfless preserver of the holy men’s example, it has again become a behemoth at acknowledging charity. The Marconi inhabitant has enjoyed connecting with families of the mishap’s 672 casualties and 230 survivors, as well as chapel constituents, with the 63-year-old worship site’s Legion of Honor and Scholarship programs, among others, regaining regard.
“This is a cemetery for the deceased in many ways,” Beady said. “We have to engage people to know what can come from not always thinking about ourselves.”
Outside of the reverential space, the South Philadelphia High School alumnus rears two children with husband Brian and involves herself with such organizations and endeavors as the John W. Hallahan High School Mother’s Club, the Alzheimer’s Association, the Buddy Walk and the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine for St. Richard Parish, 3010 S. 18th St. Much like the chapel’s namesakes and program honorees, Beady never seeks distinction, with her Difference Maker status proving “shocking.”
“It’s a huge honor to know of the receptivity to what we do here,” she said. “I’m just trying to rejuvenate awareness of the rewards of being giving.”
Contact Managing Editor Joseph Myers at jmyers@southphillyreview.com or ext. 124.
2014 Difference Makers
/ L. Jay Agnes / Christine M. Beady / Jessica Calter / Mikki Capo /
/ Barbara Capozzi / Giovanna Cavaliere /
/ Christopher DiCapua / Marlo and Jason Dilks / Marie DiStefano / Beth Dougherty /
/ Cornell Drummond / Maureen Fratantoni / Etrulia (Trudy) Gay / Jess Gould /
/ David and Lisa Grainge / Richie Lazer / Tim Lidiak /
/ Shane Martin / Laura McColgan / Akhenaton Mikell / Russell Shoemaker / Lionel Simmons / Tom Wyatt/
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