For Julie Beard, service has always begun with relationships. Before becoming Montgomery’s District 2 City Councilwoman, she spent four decades investing in students as an educator, coach, and mentor. Retirement might have slowed someone else down, but one concerned Facebook post—and the encouragement of neighbors who trusted her voice—prompted Beard to step into a new chapter of public service.

At home, she and her husband, John, have spent 29 years building a close blended family that includes four sons and six grandchildren. Through every season—family, education, faith, and community leadership—Beard’s purpose has remained the same: build trust, bring people together, and leave her community better than she found it.

BOOM!: You’ve spent your life investing in people—as a teacher, cheer coach, community leader, and now as Montgomery’s District 2 Councilwoman. Looking back, do you see a common thread that ties all those roles together?

Julie: If there is one thread that ties it all together, it’s relationships. As a teacher, cheer coach, community leader, and now District 2 Councilor, everything I have done starts with building relationships – and relationships build trust for all involved.

Once people trust you and you trust them, that trust becomes the foundation for positivity, collaboration, and progress. I love Montgomery, Alabama, and I love the relationships built here that will help raise the next generation of leaders.

BOOM!: You spent 40 years in education, influencing generations of students. What first led you into teaching, and what kept you there for nearly three decades?

Julie: I was led into teaching by tremendous mentors. Diane Lindsey and Josephine McCall were both Physical Education teachers at Capitol Heights Junior High; Betty Butler Coker taught at Robert E. Lee High School now Percy Julian); and Marzee Tew was my cheer sponsor at Capitol Heights. Each of these leaders showed me what it meant to be a great educator by expecting excellence and setting high standards. That is what inspired me to be an educator.

What kept me in education for over forty years was the students. I loved the art of teaching- the ebb and flow of not only teaching but always learning alongside my students.

I loved watching a child’s face light up the moment something finally clicked. But more than that, I knew every day I showed up, I had the chance to make a difference. If I taught a child one lesson or skill they could carry with them for life, then I did my job.

BOOM!: After retiring from education, I imagine you expected life to slow down a bit. Instead, one Facebook post about a local issue led neighbors to encourage you to run for City Council. What convinced you that this unexpected opportunity was worth saying “yes” to?

Julie: An incident in Montgomery led me to make a post on Facebook out of concern for our community. I knew this wasn’t how Montgomery was supposed to be- it wasn’t who we are – and I did not want to stand by while a positive place took on a negative tone. I knew I could not sit on the sidelines anymore. So, I stood up.

BOOM!: Your father served this very same district beginning in 1983 under Mayor Emory Folmar. Looking back now, how did watching his example shape the kind of leader you’ve become?

Julie: My father, Billy Turner, served in the same district beginning in 1983, under Mayor Emory Folmar, and watching him shaped the kind of leader I’ve become. He taught me that you must be a people person. We must love people, listen to them, and make sure they know you care. He set the example by pitching in and doing whatever needed to be done, always with a listening ear. He held himself to high standards and led with integrity, and no matter what came his way, he made his own decisions.

Watching him campaign, watching his love for the city of Montgomery, and seeing how he gave back every single day for the four terms he served – I knew this is how the job must be done.

Following his footsteps, I have tried to lead in the same way. I knew I had to build the trust of District 2 residents by letting them know I cared, that I was willing to listen and make good decisions for our district.

BOOM!: You knocked on every door in your district during your campaign. What did you learn from having those front-porch conversations?

Julie: Having front porch conversations taught me that people simply want to be heard – and we need to hear them. They want the chance to express their opinions and know that someone is listening. From those conversations, I started building relationships and trust- listening to their ideas and suggestions, and concerns. It proved that I was willing to meet people right where they were at – literally – to make sure their voices were being heard at City Hall.

It also meant serving as a liaison to city services they may have needed, missed, or had concern about in the past.

Walking door to door was about showing people that I’m willing to put in the work. I was then, and I continue to be now. We are doing good work together in District 2.

BOOM!: You’ve said that often people simply want someone to listen. Why has listening become one of the most important parts of your job?

Julie: Listening has become one of the most important parts of my job. Our community shares ideas that are genuinely valuable.

Sometimes I can take an idea as it is, and other times I research it further and build on it to make a complete, informed decision that benefits the district.

Every individual has something to contribute, and that’s where collaboration comes in- especially in meetings with homeowner’s associations.

Together, we build a kind of roadmap for the community. We set goals, checkpoints, and benchmarks, and we work steadily toward them to make sure we’re achieving what we set out to do… a real, measurable process for the betterment of the community.

BOOM!: You often talk about “getting back to the basics”: public safety, supporting county education, healthcare, and beautifying our city. Why do those priorities matter so much to you?

Julie: My whole campaign was built on a “back to basics” mentality. That mindset comes from my years in education. If students master the fundamentals- reading, writing, and arithmetic- you can build on that foundation and set them up for success. Our city works the same way. Think of Montgomery as a big classroom. When we focus on the fundamentals and bring discipline to the basics, we can build and follow a real master plan for growth. So far, in our city, getting back to basics means a few key things:

Public Safety: making sure people feel safe in their own neighborhoods and making sure our police officers are fully supported.

Healthcare: keeping major healthcare facilities accessible for our residents.

Education: even though we are a county school system, MPS still needs to be actively supported by elected officials and the public.

Beautification: cleaning up our city. Our infrastructure, paving roads, filling potholes, updating our parks, and making sure our green spaces are available for everything from picnics to playdates to quiet strolls in the park.

To me, that means buildings are cared for, as well as our corridors and byways. The very roads that welcome people into downtown and into our neighborhoods should be inviting and pristine, not just when “company is coming” but every single day. These are the basics – from cutting grass to enforcing the traffic laws. If we shore up the fundamentals first, then Montgomery will continue to grow in a positive direction.

BOOM!: Even though you’ve retired from teaching, it sounds like you’re still educating people every day, just in a different classroom. How has your background as an educator helped you serve your district?

Julie: I am a very organized person, and time management is very important to me. I am a pen-to-paper logistics planner and a face-to-face engagement believer. My background as an educator also helps me navigate the different personalities I meet every day. You must approach each person, make eye contact, introduce yourself, and then really listen. If an answer is not yet available, just like in the classroom, I am honest. I find the answer and let constituents know I will get back with them.

As adults, life is now our classroom. We are all students, and we are all teachers. It’s vital that we are all interested in the ideas, comments, and concerns being shared, and as District 2 City Councilor, I am honored to have established the trust of our residents in bringing these back to City Hall.

BOOM!: You describe yourself as the Energizer Bunny because you put passion behind everything you do. Where does that energy come from?

Julie: I think the energy comes from knowing that every single day brings a job to do, and you have a choice in how you approach it. I am very task-oriented, with relationships always at the forefront, and I thrive on getting things done for District 2 and Montgomery. I find it vital to bring the energy into the room to encourage others to join in and feel that passion for themselves. That’s how people know you’re the real deal, that you’re out here in the community wanting to make a difference. People want to show up. People want to help. It becomes synergy of everybody working together toward common goals.

BOOM!: One verse that has become especially meaningful to you is Esther 4:14: “For such a time as this.” You even saw those words displayed while walking into the hospital with John during a difficult season. How has that verse shaped your perspective on this chapter of life?

Julie: That verse has become a constant anchor for me. Everywhere I turned, on the radio, in a devotional, on faith radio, that verse kept appearing. Whenever I felt down or discouraged, it would show up again, like a quiet reminder – don’t give up, don’t be discouraged, you were made for such a time as this. I believe I am in the middle of God’s mission for me. He places us exactly where we are needed at the exact time when we are ready for it. This is what God has been developing me for through every trial, every valley, and every mountaintop. He was preparing me all along for this office to make a difference.

BOOM!: You and John have built a blended family over the past 29 years with four children and now six grandchildren. What have those relationships taught you about grace, patience, and love?

Julie: John and I married when my son was fifteen, and he brought three boys of his own, so together we built a blended family of four boys and now six grandchildren. It’s taught me that every child is different, and like teaching, you learn each one’s personality and how to bring everyone together. John and I have always focused on staying connected, making holidays and get-togethers feel special, no matter what the distance between us. It’s taught us patience to adjust to their busy schedules, flexibility, and grace; most of all, that everyone has their own special place in our hearts in their own way and their own time.

BOOM!: You mentioned that some of your favorite days are delivering Meals on Wheels and participating in the Our Montgomery Prayer Walk. Why do those simple acts of service mean so much to you?

Julie: I’ve been serving Meals on Wheels Montgomery AL Metro Area for over six years, and it is the highlight of my month. One Friday a month for about two hours, I am honored to knock on the door and visit ten to twelve senior citizens, delivering a meal. For some of them, that visit is the only contact they have with the outside world all day. A smile, a hug, a handshake, a little conversation on the porch- it’s such a simple act, but it shows how much you care, and how important that human connection is. I share this wonderful opportunity with my dear friend Melanie Boulware. We’ve been doing this together for six years, and we always have fun bringing a little happiness to the people we visit.

I also love the Montgomery Prayer Walk, held the first Saturday of every month. It’s a chance to meet and walk with people all over Montgomery, all united around the same purpose of praying for our community leaders, our public servants, our students, and any needs in our neighborhoods. You walk away realizing we all share one thread in common. We believe in Montgomery, and we unite our hearts in prayer.

BOOM!: As a sixth grader, school integration introduced you to classmates who became lifelong friends. Years later, you taught many of their children, and today you represent many of those same families on the Montgomery City Council. That’s a remarkable full-circle journey. What has that taught you about community and the relationships that truly shape a city?

Julie: The friendships and connections you make early in life, if you nurture them, can carry your heart for a lifetime. Even when you haven’t seen someone in many years, when you do come back together, those memories and that laughter return instantly – the kickball games, the lunchroom conversations, the gym talks with the girls. You watch childhood friendships grow into lasting adult ones, and that’s truly special. Every step along the way, someone makes an impact on your life, and you remember the kindness and the connection long after the moment has passed. I am so grateful for the relationships of a lifetime and those that are new along the way. I see a legacy of love in each of them.

BOOM!: After spending your entire career helping others succeed, what does “aging well” mean to you personally?

Julie: To me, aging well means being comfortable in who I am. I’ve had such a blessed life full of experiences and opportunities, and I believe that’s what life is all about – taking everything as a chance to grow and achieve more.

BOOM!: What encouragement would you give our readers who wonder if they still have something meaningful to contribute in this season of life?

Julie: I’d say this: live your best life, and live it fully every single day. You’re as young as you want to be; age doesn’t discriminate against purpose. Get out there, smell the roses, and do the great things Montgomery has to offer. Make a difference. Give back to your community. Put action behind your words and soak up every blessing you have, and every blessing you can give someone else. Sometimes doing the right thing is simply doing it at the right time, in the right season of your life.

Quick Take with Julie

Favorite place in Montgomery to relax: I like being at home in my chair with my husband watching a good movie or Gunsmoke (his favorite!).

Favorite local restaurant: We have so many great ones, but Sol on the Atlanta Highway is one of my favorites.

Best advice you’ve ever received: Treat every person in every role with the same dignity and respect as those who sign your paycheck.

A teacher who changed your life: Diane Lindsey, Josephine McCall, and Betty Butler Coker

Favorite way to spend time with your grandchildren: Riding jet skis at Lake Martin or going to the beach.

A simple joy you never take for granted: That I have been blessed beyond measure.

One thing people would be surprised to know about you: Although I am always talking, mixing, and mingling, I really like to sit still and be quiet.

A Montgomery tradition you love: Everything Christmas, particularly District 2’s Christmas at Eastbrook Village.

One word that describes this season of life: Content

What are you looking forward to next? The next chapter – serving the residents of District 2 and making a difference each day.

We thank Julie for sharing her story with us! If you know someone who would make a great cover profile, please email jason@riverregionboom.com.