(Lisa Beamer talks candidly about her life with Todd and t...)
Lisa Beamer talks candidly about her life with Todd and the devastating day her children learned their daddy had died, the mix of grief and joy when she gave birth to the daughter she was pregnant with at the time, and how she found the confidence to go on in the face of such tragedy and loss.
Lisa Beamer is an American writer. In the wake of the events of September 11, 2001, she has become an enduring symbol of grace and courage in troubled times. Lisa has generated major media interest, including appearances on "Larry King Live," "Good Morning America," "Dateline," "20/20," "60 Minutes," and "Oprah." People magazine selected her as one of the "25 Most Intriguing People of 2001."
Background
Lisa Beamer was born on April 10, 1969, in Albany, New York. She grew up in Shrub Oak, north of New York City. Lisa is the daughter of Paul, a research physicist, and Lorraine Brosious, a Christian counselor. She has a brother and a sister.
Education
Lisa Beamer graduated from Wheaton College. She got a Bachelor of Arts in 1991.
Lisa Beamer was the wife of Todd Beamer, one of a group of passengers who died on September 11, 2001, while attempting to take control of a hijacked commercial airplane that ultimately crashed in a Pennsylvania field, killing all aboard.
Beamer, who was five months pregnant on the day of the attacks, appeared repeatedly in the media, from the "Today" show and "Larry King Live" to "People" magazine. President George W. Bush even introduced Beamer to the country during his address to Congress on September 20, 2001. She came to represent all of the September 11 widows grieving with dignity and strength.
According to publicist Tina Jacobson, Lisa Beamer made 200 media appearances within the first six months after September 11.
Following her third child's birth, Lisa Beamer turned her attention to raising funds for children who had lost their parents, the first being the children whose parents had died in the crash, through a foundation named for her husband, "Todd Morgan Beamer Memorial Foundation." The organization sought to trademark the phrase "Let's Roll," which was the subject of some criticism after some accused her of seeking to profit from her husband's death.
The organization was later renamed "Heroic Choices." As of 2007, "Heroic Choices" was struggling to maintain financial viability. According to the Board Chair, "as with any charity created after the events of 11 September, the farther you get away from the event, the more difficult it is to raise funds."
In 2003, with Ken Abraham, she devoted three months to writing "Let's Roll!: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Courage." Much of the book is based on interviews Abraham conducted with the couple's family and friends, and some were written by Beamer. With the publication of her book, the widow was again asked to appear on network shows and talk about her book, her life with Todd, and her faith. Royalties from the book were donated to the "Todd Morgan Beamer Memorial Foundation."
(Lisa Beamer talks candidly about her life with Todd and t...)
2003
Religion
Lisa Beamer was raised a Baptist, but her faith was shaken after the loss of her father.
In one interview after the events of 11 September Lisa said: "My faith in God has saved me. He is always there to help me through when the times get tough. Also, all the people who have helped me or sent donations. I really wouldn't be here without anyone of them."
Views
Quotations:
"Some people live their whole lives, long lives, without having left anything behind. My sons will be told their whole lives that their father was a hero, that he saved lives. It's a great legacy for a father to leave his children."
Personality
Quotes from others about the person
Newsweek contributor Evan Thomas: "Lisa Beamer was a national icon within ten days of her husband's death."
Lee, a graduate student of Wheaton College: "Lisa demonstrates a clear example of what it means to live with purpose and faithfully according to Christ's grace and love her life."
Connections
Lisa Beamer married Todd Beamer on May 14, 1994, in Peekskill, New York. They have three children: David, Drew, and Morgan Kay Beamer. Morgan Kay was born on January 9, 2002 - nearly four months after her father's death.