Joyce (Collins) Tucker was born September 16, 1932, in Washington, DC. She made the move to Michigan in 1950 to attend our great university. At that time, there were not a lot of women enrolled at the University of Michigan, and certainly not a lot of African American women. Joyce attended U-M from 1950 to 1954, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology.
A Proud Graduate
She has remained a Michigan resident since that time, where she continues to blaze trails and open doors for those who follow after. Now 93, Joyce believes you should always treat people the way you want to be treated. Service to all mankind has been her mantra for many years, as she became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority in 1951 while on campus. An active member for nearly 75 years, she has served the sorority in several positions, including as president/ Basileus in her senior year. With the same care, Joyce serves her family, community, and her university.
She is a proud U-M graduate and has many fond memories from her days on campus. “I remember the great times attending concerts at Hill Auditorium and the Rackham Building. Going to the football games was so much fun, and the highlight was sitting in the ‘flash card’ section. I would often meet my friends at the Michigan League for coffee. I have so many great memories. Surely my visit with a group of students to the home of then President and Mrs. Harlan Hatcher is among the top,” she recalls.
A Servant’s Heart
Upon graduating, Joyce started her professional journey with a first job with the Bureau of the Census. She later gained employment with the Social Security Administration in 1955, where she remained for 34 years until she retired as Branch Manager in 1989. She was able to help so many people during her time of employment, and she continues to help all that she can through her many charitable and volunteer roles.
Joyce is a devoted member of the University of Michigan Alumnae Council (UMAC), which she has served for many years. She served as president of UMAC in 1997, being only one of a few African American women to serve in that position since its inception in 1917. She has served as a board member with UMAC as well as president of the Detroit Association of University of Michigan Women (DAUMW). Joyce continues to serve on the scholarship committee and on the board of DAUMW, attending all meetings and events.
Joyce married Charles Tucker in 1956. They are the parents of Karlynne Tucker-Scaggs and Charles M. Tucker III. She has eight grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild, all who bring great joy to her life.
Our own Joyce Tucker, U-M graduate and active member of many U-M-affiliated communities, shows all of us that age has no boundaries and especially no stop signs.
(Biography by Linda Moragne)