Remembering Beverley Lumpkin

Beverley Lumpkin (left) with intern Kelli Baldwin.

Beverley Lumpkin, our beloved colleague and friend, lost a long battle with cancer on Friday, October 20, 2017.

Beverley had a breadth and depth of experiences and perspectives, having worked on Capitol Hill, at federal agencies, and in news organizations for years, and here at POGO from 2007 to 2009. Good government and Rule of Law were not just concepts to Beverley, but her raison d’etre. Her life was featured in the book, Out of the News: Former Journalists Discuss a Profession in Crisis, by Celia Wexler. Her chapter is fittingly titled, “Lady Justice.”

At POGO, Beverley's star power and intelligence put what was once a wonky, obscure topic—Inspectors General—on the map. Her investigations led to legislation to overhaul the offices, a sustained Congressional focus on the need to have confirmed heads of those offices, and increased collaboration to improve their effectiveness. Her work isn't done and we'll continue to fight for the principles that made her a force for good government.

During her time at POGO, Beverley was always impeccably dressed, always had a great sense of humor, and always pointed out even the smallest of grammatical errors. And those who had the privilege of knowing her will always remember her radiant smile, her joyous laugh, and her willingness to help others. I often teased her that she was our very own Mary Tyler Moore.

Finally, Beverley’s love of plants must be noted. When she was with us at POGO her office was filled with plants, and I still have a Pelargonium “Canadian Centennial” that she gave me as a gift several years ago.

Beverley, our friend and member of the POGO family, is already sorely missed.