#DidYouKnow – Bea Arthur
Everyone knows Bea Arthur was a Golden Girl. BUT… did you know she was also one of the first females to enlist into the United States Marine Corps Women’s Reserve? Yep, in 1943, during World War II, Bea Arthur started as a typist for the U.S. Marines before working as a trucker driver and dispatcher.
Did you know that Bea was an activist? She stood up for women as “television’s first feminist” (according to Angela Lansbury) and animal rights. She confronted tough subjects with dignity to bring awareness and change.
Born Bernice Frankel on May 13, 1922, we knew this amazing woman as Beatrice Arthur (her stage name). Sadly, she passed away on April 25, 2009 due to lung cancer. Being a supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, she left $300K to the Ali Forney Center, who in turn opened The Bea Arthur Residence for homeless LGBTQ+ youth.