Photo: Flatwater Free Press/Joseph Saaid
Mel and Mary Ann Beckman, aged 86 and 85 respectively, have changed lives through their persistent activism. They met when Mel was a Catholic priest and Mary Ann was working at Catholic Social Services; they collaborated on programs to support young mothers in poverty, some of whom were unwed and in dire straits. Eventually, Mel decided he no longer wanted to be a priest and a 1-year process ensued that allowed him to leave the church in good standing. Afterwards, they married and adopted 3 children. Meanwhile, their activism began. In the 1970’s Mel questioned nuclear deterrence policies, called on the Nixon administration to end the Vietnam War, criticized the introduction of ROTC programs in public junior high schools, and backed a movement to end Nebraska’s death penalty by electric chair. More recently, they collaborated on the Nebraska Criminal Justice Review, a newsletter, and support group, Friends and Family of the Incarcerated. When their efforts didn’t yield immediate results, the two were nonplussed. “Just keep the work going,” was their motto. Now, the two are slowing down a bit and handing off some of their activities to others.
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