JOYCE MARIE GRIGGS, the Democratic candidate for Georgia’s 1st Congressional District, is a proven leader with a track record of stellar service and uncompromising excellence. Having served her country and community with distinction in the face of daunting opposition, she has long been recognized as a force for goodness and truth.
The story of her journey is indeed an inspiring one.
Born the sixth of ten children in Bethel, North Carolina, Griggs distinguished herself as someone special at an early age. Working with her sharecropping family in the fields gave her a strong spiritual grounding that served her well as a public school student. She graduated from high school in her native state, working her way through both a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology and a Master’s degree in counseling from North Carolina Central University.
After graduate school, she was ahead counselor and psychology instructor at Kittrell College, as well as a volunteer tutor for underprivileged children with learning disabilities. She raised two children of her own along the way, Torri and Laurie. The next chapter of her life found her country calling; in her trademark manner, she answered fearlessly and with a flourish. Griggs received her direct commission to become a second lieutenant and subsequently, earned the distinction of becoming one of the first women to complete airborne training at Fort Benning, Georgia. Upon admission to the Women’s Army Corps, she completed women’s officer training, basic and advanced military intelligence/tactical training, psychological operations training, civil-military operations training, command and general staff training, combined arms service training, and intelligence collection management training in rapid succession, attaining the rank of lieutenant colonel. She also served as a professor of military science in Honolulu, Hawaii, and interned at Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).
She became a decorated veteran, being deployed in arenas from South Korea to the Middle East uniformly receiving the highest commendations for meritorious service, including a Parachutist Badge, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, and the Bronze Star. After her illustrious military career, Griggs chose the path of law, earning her J.D. from the John Marshall Law School in Atlanta. She further strengthened her reputation as an uncompromising fighter—this time for the legal rights of all people. In her practice, she worked tirelessly for clients from all walks of life and often pro-bono for those who were unable to afford legal representation.
Consequently, many honors ensued, including the Pro-Bono and the Chief Justice for Professionalism recognitions. Her vast experience as a civil servant includes mentoring at Hubert Middle School and affiliations with the National Council of Negro Women, the NAACP, the Wounded Warrior Project, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Hungry Club Forum, the American Legion, the Coastal Georgia Minority Chamber of Commerce, the Black Empowerment Movement Association, the Southbridge Homeowners’ Association and Women’s Club, Citizens for Environmental Justice, the A. Philip Randolph Institute, and Healthy Savannah (HealthPowers).
In addition to her civic engagement, Griggs is also a true citizen of the world, embarking on humanitarian missions to Haiti, Mexico, and Africa. In 2000, Griggs took the next logical step for someone with her passion and experience and ran for political office, winning the Democratic primary for Georgia’s 1st Congressional District seat in the United States Congress. Her profound faith in God, that brought her over many a tribulation, led her to yet another calling—evangelism, through which she has ministered to countless souls. Her path is a testament to the words of Romans 8:31: “If God is for us, who can be against us?” In 2020, in true phoenix-like fashion, Griggs again secured a resounding primary victory for Georgia’s1st Congressional District seat. With your help, she can take her extraordinary fighting spirit all the way to Washington for you—the people.
Why are you running for office and as a Democrat?
The people of the 1st District need a strong voice in Washington to articulate their needs. I am that strong voice. I can’t be bought and I can’t be bribed. This election has never been about me. It has always been about the hardworking people of the seventeen counties that make up the 1st Congressional District. It’s about job creation, healthcare for all, the environment, veterans/military, stopping the drug addiction that’s flooding our communities and standing up to the insanity that is taking place in Washington, D.C. The Democratic Party embraces all people and I embrace all.
If elected, what would be your top priorities? Why? How would you approach finding a solution?
My priorities include the following:
Fighting For Opportunities For Our Communities And Its Citizens Through Economic Development • Creating Jobs In Our District • Protecting Our Small Businesses • Sustaining Our Farming And Fishing/Shrimping Industries • Improving Healthcare For All People • Supporting Criminal And Social Justice Reform • Assisting Local And State Governments With Funding For Education • Advocating For A Safe And Clean Environment • Supporting Our Service Members, Veterans, Their Family Members, And Our Local Military Bases • Protecting Our Senior Citizens • Supporting Immigration Reform • Fighting For Our 2nd Amendment Rights • Supporting Equality For All
The people need solutions to their everyday issues not partisan divides. I will work across party lines to find solutions on the issues that are impacting everyday people. “People First”
Why should voters cast a vote for you?
I have been a servant, community activist and advocate and understand the needs of the people, especially, the poor and disenfranchised. My experience as a retired Army intelligence Officer (LTC), Combat veteran (Bronze Star Medal) and former lawyer has uniquely prepared me to represent the people in the 1st Congressional District of Georgia. I am highly trained as my military experience indicates and highly educated with several degrees (BA, MA and Law Degree).
I did not run for Congress for me but for the hardworking people in the 1st Congressional District.
People should vote for me because I am part of the solution and not the problem and I accomplish the mission.