Jeanne Beckman, 2024 Madison Scouts Hall of Fame Inductee.
Jeanne Beckman exemplifies the servant leadership model of the Madison Scouts, and it is fitting that she is the first female to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Jeanne began her work with the Madison Junior Scouts in 1968 as a parent when her son Eric joined the corps. This would start a decades-long dedication as a volunteer performing various roles, including seamstress, cook, and merchandise sales. By the 1975 World Championship season, Jeanne had five sons marching in the corps. The “Beckman Clan” included Bill (contra), Eric (French horn), Scott (soprano), Jay (baritone), and David (flag), along with their younger sister Heidi working in merchandise sales.
Jeanne also served on the Madison Scouts board of directors and was selected as its first female board chair.She is most notably remembered as a surrogate “Mom” to the many Madison Scouts who traveled across the country to march with the corps. Opening her home for many of the “out-of-town” Scouts, Jeanne provided a home away from home, saying, “The most important thing is to be there.” Jeanne passed away in 2019 at age 90.