Beatrice Thomas: spreading passion

Kathrine Alderman
ECB Publishing, Inc.

When you're passionate about something, most people want to share that passion with others. For Beatrice Thomas, that passion is something she wants to share with everyone and uses to help others with a similar view.
Thomas has been working with and for the Republican Party for 30 years now. She has worked with many people, such as Former Governor Rick Scott, Former Lt. Governor Jennifer Carroll, Sheriffs David Morgan and Chip Simmons, Mayor Glover Robinston of Escambia County, Marco Rubio, Ron DeSantis, Donald Trump and more. Her job is to make sure that they get elected. But for Thomas, it's more than just a job; it's working for something she believes in and trying to create what she thinks is a better future for all people.
When people talk about Thomas, they describe her as full of energy, love for God and passion for what she believes. The politicians she's helped into office affectionately refer to her as "Mama Bea," as she is a constant source of love and energy. She's always there to help them out and get them votes.
Because of all of her hard work and dedication to the party, Thomas was recently awarded the Republican Party Rising Star Certificate to thank her for all she does for them. "I was surprised and thankful for the award," Thomas said. She just works because she believes it's the right thing to do, not because she seeks recognition, so she was not expecting it at all. But when you work hard, others recognize your efforts, and that is what happened for Thomas.
She refuses to take all the credit, though. Currently, Thomas works mainly in Leon County. She said it was hard work to turn votes in Leon, but they did it, and she says it was thanks to the help of the surrounding counties and all the volunteers and workers who helped her go door to door and talk to people.

Thomas wants to spread the belief that all lives matter, and works with the minority coalition and is part of Black Voices for Trump. She said the most challenging part about working in Leon County was there was just a lot of anger and hate, but she was determined to push her way through. Thomas said that no matter how upset she got or how many people yelled at her or doors were slammed in her face, she wouldn't let it show. She would tell them "have a blessed day" and move on, because the people who did listen, who did have conversations with her, were worth all the slammed doors.

One of her favorite parts of working was when those in the black community came and talked to her. She says it was wonderful. She mentions she wants to spread the love of the Lord through Jesus, not hate, and that they are striving to make the world a better place every day. "We rocked Florida," Thomas said. "You have to listen, communicate and understand others." By doing those things, Thomas is confident you'll get through to people, slowly but surely.
Thomas taught for 20 years, but decided to change her career to her current position with the Republican Party. "I've been on this journey a long time, but I'm not tired yet," Thomas mentioned. Even when there is a lot of hate, Thomas doesn't let it tire her out. She says you have to learn how to love, take the good in with the bad, but not let the bad outweigh the good.

She then studied about the world and heard people talking about hate, but she believed that people created that hate years ago. She can't blame anyone for it. She learned to study and observe the things of this world. Ultimately, she decided that being yourself is the most valuable thing, and she wants to spread that knowledge to the world.

Thomas says she's lost a lot because of what she stands for—family, friends, etc.—but she'll continue to stand till her last breath. "I don't know what 2024 will look like, but, God be willing, I'll be there working," Thomas stated. She worked hard in Leon County, as well as Escambia County, where she also has a coalition. She's also helped out in Perry, working with Vicki Hatton, the chairwoman for the Republican Party there, and Pastor Richard Sauls and his congregation. “He was a big help,” Thomas said, “and his daughter, Victoria Sauls, worked with me all the way to the election day. She made over 25,000 calls. This young lady rocks.”

Thomas has helped out numerous people in lots of places, and Jefferson County is no exception. She helped out the Republicans here, bringing her love and passion with her. Those she worked with here in Jefferson County absolutely loved Thomas. Beth Frisby said that she was a great help during the Trump campaign. "She's so brave," Frisby said. "She stood at the courthouse with no fear, promoting Black Voices for Trump; with her with us, we got so many honks." Frisby went on to state that Thomas was just an amazing woman to have with them. She affirmed that Thomas never stopped; she just kept going and doing her best to stand up for what she believes. Frisby says she was shocked and awed by Thomas.
Thomas inspires everyone and speaks out for what she believes in. People just wanted to talk to Thomas, and she listened intently to everyone, no matter what. When she heard the low amount of registered African American Republicans in Jefferson County, Thomas immediately perked up. She began to use all her efforts to change that and apparently inspired many to finally switch over and register as Republican.

Thomas didn't just come to our community to get votes, though. She still keeps up with the contacts she made here, such as the Keystone Federated Republican Women. She'll come to help them or speak at their meetings whenever called on. The bottom line is, Beatrice Thomas cares about people, that's the reason she does what she does. It's that dedication to what she believes in and her love for people that made the Republican Party recognize her.