'There's always a way': Becky Berger's remarkable path
Editor’s Note: March is Women’s History Month. Each Tuesday during March, KOIN 6 News will spotlight a Remarkable Woman nominated by others in the community.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- When Becky Berger was just 21, she married Keith Berger, a 5th-generation farmer and businessman of what was then called Wells-Berger Farms in Hillsboro. Together they had six children, three of whom have special needs.
When Keith was 30, he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. The disease took its toll and Becky became his primary caregiver -- all while raising six kids.
Keith died in 2011.
"He was one of the smartest men I'd ever met and had a great business mind. And his parents were wonderful," Becky said.
She admitted it "was kind of difficult" for her and the kids.
"That last year was really kind of a beautiful year as far as just reconnecting with everybody and being really who he was. And it just was very healing year, I'd say."
One of their children, Griffin, was born in 1994. He was just 2 when he was diagnosed with autism. As he grew and got older, Becky realized his autism could be isolating. That's why she made it her mission to change that, not just for Griffin but for countless others.
In 2015, she opened Griffin's Place, where people with intellectual disabilities from 14-adulthood can connect with community. It's life-changing work, the result of years of dedication, sacrifice and loss.
"We find that once you graduate from high school or get out of the transition program, there's just not that many activities around for people with developmental disabilities. So we felt that there was a need for someplace like Griffin's Place," she said.
Griffin's Place offers a variety of activities, including cooking classes and dances.
"Our dances are quite popular. We have dance class and focus more on the exercise piece there. We have social skills classes, which are so important," she said. "It's been wonderful and I think they're really yearning for that connection with peers, making friends, maintaining friendships, looking forward to some fun events."
After Keith died, Becky took over the family business along with being the sole caretaker of six. She is the owner and CEO of what is now a world-renowned grass seed brand, Berger International.
The farm industry is male-dominated, especially farm ownership. But Becky never let that stop her.
"I never had, 'I can't do this.' No, I've never bumped up against that. There was always a way. There's always a way," she told KOIN 6 News. "And again, meeting with men that didn't want to do business with me, it's just like a Roomba that you bump something and you just go a different route. So it is just figuring that out."
And, she added, "it's been a real honor for me to take over the family business."
That optimism and strength, she said, she learned from her mother, LeeAnn, who nominated Becky as a Remarkable Woman.
"She doesn't like to be bragged about," LeeAnn said. "Of course, I'm terrible at it. She keeps saying, 'Oh, mother, mother, no mother.' But I'm not the only one that wants to brag about her."
LeeAnn said Becky cares.
"At one time she said, 'If I had a million dollars, I'd take care of every child in the world' -- and she tries to do that."
That care -- on the farm, with her children, changing lives at Griffin's Place -- leaves a lasting impression and legacy.
"Even through the darkest days, I had joy every day," Becky Berger said. "My kids brought that to me. Griffin brought that to me. Griffin's Place brought that to me. The business brought that to me. There's always something joyful to find in each and every day."