Beverly McBride '66
Advocating for a Fairer World
by Margaret Beccavin | October 9, 2023
Beverly McBride '66 is retired from The Andersons, where she spent over 30 years of her career. For more than half that time, she served as vice president, general counsel, and secretary. She has always been extremely involved in the legal and local community, serving as the second-ever woman president of the Toledo Bar Association, as a delegate to the Ohio State Bar Association, and many additional leadership and advocacy roles.
Her journey from her upbringing in Darke County, Ohio, to becoming a respected and successful legal professional is a testament to her unwavering commitment and determination to play a role in creating a fairer and more just world.
Growing up in a small town, she worked in her parents' General Store. There, she developed a strong work ethic at a young age, learning valuable lessons about engaging with others and hard work. She also observed disparities in the pay for men and women and saw migrants coming into town each summer who had difficult lives despite their hard work. Seeing and experiencing these things as a child left an impact on Beverly that remains to this day.
Her decision to pursue a career in law was driven by a desire to make the world a better and kinder place. Beverly embarked on her legal journey with the hesitant support of her parents. She saw the law as a powerful tool to create clear rights and duties, minimizing disputes through well-crafted contracts and documents.
Beverly's path to success in the male-dominated legal field was not without its challenges. She graduated with honors in her law school class but struggled to find employment due to prevailing biases against women in law firms in 1966. She recalls being interviewed at one law firm who told her "You seem like such a nice person. Why don't you interview with [company]; they hire women." While this wasn't the response she hoped for, though also not unexpected, she ended up landing a position as an attorney at a real estate title company, providing her with invaluable experience in real estate law.
Looking back on her career and experiences, Beverly takes pride in the progress women have made in the legal, and other, professions. "Almost always being the only woman in the room was difficult," says Beverly. "As such, I was very obvious. Any suggestion, misstatement, disagreement, questioning, was not only noticed by everyone but was far more closely scrutinized than the remarks of others. Many minority races also face this. I just didn't give up."
Beverly finds it wonderful and exciting to see so many women pursuing and succeeding in the legal field today. "It has been a lifelong happiness for me to experience college and then experience law school," she says. "I would encourage anyone with any doubts to go to school as much as you can and learn from it, study hard, and enjoy your life.”
Beverly is the recipient of the 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award from the College of Law. She earned her J.D., cum laude, from the University of Toledo College of Law in 1966 and her Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, from Wittenberg University.
Q&A with Beverly McBride
What are some of your passions or hobbies outside of work?
I love to read and have always liked bicycling, walking, and downhill skiing. Since
retiring, I've been quilting; largely in respect for a great grandmother who, after
losing her husband, raised 5 children by herself sewing, quilting, and cleaning homes.
Who is someone you admire and why?
The many women who have gone into law, medicine, politics and business. I know it
has not always been easy for them.
What is your best advice for current or prospective law students?
Study hard and work hard. It will pay off in ways you will never know.
How do you want to be remembered?
I'd like to be remembered as thoughtful, intelligent, hardworking, and caring - and
caring not only about people, but also about the issues that face us every day in
this incredible world of ours.