Bea Hines

BTW Class of 1956

Bea L. Hines likes to say she has come a long way – from a domestic worker in the early 1960’s to a respected, award-winning journalist, whose name is recognized throughout the United States, and who has taught writing seminars at four universities including the University of California at Berkeley.

Educated in Miami-Dade County schools, Bea is a 1956 graduate of Booker T. Washington High School. She attended Miami-Dade Community College, the University of Miami and Barry University.

Mrs. Hines has won many awards for her writing and community work. In 1981, her issues column that was featured on page one of the local section for nearly five years was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize, journalism’s most prestigious award. In 1985, SAVY, a national women’s magazine now out of print, named Bea L. Hines as one of the top five women columnists in the country. That same year, The Miami Herald honored her with its Service Among Us Award for being a beacon of light in the community,

Mrs. Hines is in demand as a speaker and in 1990, she was inducted into the “Women of Impact Hall of Fame. She has been honored by Herstory’s In the Company of Women. Her picture and a biographical sketch appeared in a book by that name. In 1996, she was inducted into the City of Miami Hall of Fame as a pioneering African American journalist. Her portrait also is in the traveling exhibit of Florida Women of Achievement.

She is most proud of the fact that in 2004, the Lord saw fit to appoint her as a missionary in her church, The Church of God Tabernacle, where Bishop Walter H, Richardson is the pastor. She sings in the Tabernacle Gospel Choir and is involved in many other activities.

Mrs. Hines loves to sing, and this particular talent has taken her twice to Italy where she performed with the

Unity Choir. In addition, she is a talented fashion and millenary designer and has her very own label, Bedola’s Originals. She also designs fashions and makes dresses and hats for special occasions.

Mrs. Hines is the widowed mother of two grown sons, - Rick, a youth pastor who lives in Miramar and Shawn, a lawyer and professional musician who lives in Boston. She is the proud grandmother of four beautiful granddaughters and one handsome grandson.