Hardworking and motivated, Margaret “Betty” E. Turner dedicated herself to professional growth. She started out as a secretary at the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and ended up becoming the first female grain inspector and the first female licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Ms. Turner’s expertise in export grain inspection, operations management, and state to federal regulatory compliance helped her thrive as an office manager with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Some of her responsibilities with the government agency included managing office operations and budgeting. Ms. Turner was also responsible for helping to promote the agency’s mission of supporting economic growth and development in Virginian agriculture and encouraging environmental stewardship and consumer protection. She loved her work so much that she became a consultant after retirement and stayed in the position for nearly two decades.
Ms. Turner prepared for her endeavors by completing coursework in accounting at La Salle Extension University and earned a grain inspector’s license from the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 1966. She also sought ways to connect with her community and build her rapport. To do this, she served as a charter member of the Pilot Club of Chesapeake, a committee chairwoman of the Business Professional Women’s Foundation, and a volunteer with battered women’s shelters, local nursing homes, and alumni associations.
When Ms. Turner has free time, she enjoys gardening, making crafts, fitness, and taking hula dance classes. She is also in a tap club for people aged 65 to 85. As part of the group, she performs at nursing and retirement homes.