Joyce Marie Griggs

Joyce Marie Griggs was born in Bethel, North Carolina. Griggs served in the U.S. Army and reached the rank of lieutenant colonel. She earned a bachelor's and a graduate from North Carolina Central University in 1973 and 1974, respectively, and earned a law degree from John Marshall Law School in 1992. Griggs' career experience includes owning a business.[1][2]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am Joyce Marie Griggs, a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, Bronze Star recipient, and combat veteran with over 33 years of service in Military Intelligence. I served three tours in Iraq, including as Deputy Director of Intelligence Programs in a combat zone, where I helped design and implement systems to protect U.S. troops and allied forces.

Former trial lawyer, community advocate, and small business owner in Savannah, Georgia. I was raised in a sharecropper family, overcame poverty and abuse, and built a life grounded in faith, discipline, and service. My life has been dedicated to solving complex problems, helping people in need, and standing up for those who often go unheard.

I am running for Congress to bring experienced, accountable leadership to Georgia’s 1st Congressional District and to fight for affordable living, strong communities, and real results for working families, veterans, and seniors.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Proven Leadership That Delivers Results

With 33 years of military leadership and high-level intelligence experience, I know how to analyze complex problems and produce real solutions. I will bring disciplined, mission-focused leadership to Congress to get results for the people—not politics.Lower Costs & Economic Relief for Families

Families in Georgia are struggling with high food, gas, housing, and healthcare costs. I will fight for policies that reduce the cost of living, expand access to affordable housing, and support small businesses that create jobs in our communities.Standing up for Veterans, Seniors, and Working People

I will be a strong advocate for veterans, seniors living on fixed incomes, and working families. That includes improving VA services, protecting Social Security and Medicare, and ensuring access to quality healthcare and education.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Affordable housing and cost-of-living relief

Veterans’ healthcare and benefits reform

Economic development and small business growth

Healthcare access for all communities

Food insecurity and community-based solutions

Education and workforce development

Public safety and strong, stable communities

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Local community members, veterans, small business owners, and grassroots supporters across Georgia’s 1st Congressional District.

(Member of and long-time involvement with the Phillip Randolph Institute and engagement with local labor unions.)

Joyce Marie Griggs did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

Joyce Marie Griggs did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign website

Griggs' campaign website stated the following:

-Creating Jobs and attracting more industries

-Strengthen and protect our infrastructure and the Ports in our district

-Protecting and funding our small businesses

-Improving and providing accessible and affordable health care for all people

-legislation to lower the age requirement for Medicare

-Supporting criminal and social justice reform

-Assist Local and State governments with funding for education

-Support our service members and their families, veterans, and our local Military bases

-Demand and support Gold Star wives entitlements

-Demand accountability from the Department of Veteran Affairs concerning Health Care and claims adjudication

-Support our children and senior citizens

…Ensure all children have access to daycare

…Insure senior citizens get the help they deserve

-Advocate for a safe and clean environment

…Protect our coastlines and waterways

…Sustaining our Farming and Fishing/Scrimping industries

-Supporting our Agriculture and farms

-Supporting Immigration reform

-Fighting for gun safety laws yet protecting our 2nd amendment rights[3]

—Joyce Marie Griggs' campaign website (2022)[4]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Joyce Marie Griggs grew up in rural/agriculture Bethel North Carolina and attended the public school system. Her mother (also a domestic worker) and father were farm workers and worked where they could find work. She is one of ten children and all worked in the farm fields. Her mother stressed critical life values such as hard work, honestly, integrity and education. After graduating from high school, she attended college at North Carolina Central University in Durham, N.C. earning a B.A. -Sociology in 1973 and M.A. in Counseling in 1974. In 1991 she graduated from John Marshall Law School in Atlanta with a J.D. Degree.

Her military experience includes a Direct appointment as a 2nd Lieutenant US Army in 1976. Griggs was an intelligence officer. Military schools includes:Women Officers Orientation Course

Military Intelligence Basic Course

Military Intelligence Tactical Officer Course

Psychological Operations Officer Course

Civil Military Operations Course

Military Intelligence Advance Course

Command and General Staff College Course

Combined Arms Service Staff School

Intelligence Collection Management Course

Intern-Defense Advance Research Project Agency (DARPA)

She deployed to Iraq three times in support of the Global War on terrorism and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. In 2013 she retired as a Lieutenant Colonel with 33 years of service.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Elevate interests that empower all people in the 1st Congressional DistrictTake care of those who served (Veterans, Active Military and Family members). Insure timely and efficient VA claim processing.Strong leadership that is proactive and a strong voice for the people

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

-Quality and affordable health care, Increase funding for rural hospitals

- Environmental Justice and Climate Change. Provide increase resources for Environmental Justice to vulnerable, marginalized and minority communities

-Criminal and Social Justice Reform

Criminal justice reform on the National level flowing to the local levels.

a. Revamp federal sentencing guidelines

b. Change the drug sentencing policy surrounding the war on drugs

c.Push for fair sentencing for all Promote equal pay for women and all people

Economic Empowerment- Support job creation and training. Promote a living wage and increase the federal minimum wage. Support equal pay for women

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

My mother first and foremost because she was a godly mother and a woman of integrity who stressed loyalty, hard work and family. She kept the family together in spite of the poverty and hardship. I would also say that Harriet Tubman was one I admired a lot because she was such a fighter, an abolitionist and political activist. I have a kindred spirt with her because she was such a warrior and made critical changes in the world. I admire her so because we have a lot in common, she served in the Union Army and was a spy. I served in the Army and was an intelligence officer. She was often referred to as little Moses because she delivered her people from the grips of slavery.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

The Greatest Salesman in the World-A guide to a philosophy of salesmanship and success-Og Mandino

Something Needs to Change-A call to make your life count in a world of urgent need-David Platt

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Listen to the people.

To be able to lead in a crisis and proactive leadership.

A leader must maintain a "servant" spirit.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Local, nacional and international experience. As an Army Intelligence Officer I interacted with numerous agencies on a local, national and international level. My military leadership experience as a Lieutenant Colonel would make me a successful officeholder.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Walk in integrity, transparent and service to constituents.

What legacy would you like to leave?

A legacy of service to others.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The assassinated of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968. I was 16 years old. My mother was crying inconsolably and we did not know why until later. Other ladies in the community came to our house and all cried. I cried, my brothers/ sisters and other children in the community. It was a very sad day because we had lost such a great leader. I will never forgot the impact it had on me a 16 year old girl. I vowed then that I would fight for all people. This set the stage for my military service and untimely becoming a lawyer, advocating for those who could not advocate for themselves.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Working in the fields in N.C. starting at 5 years old. I worked in the fields until I left home for college at the age of 17. I also did some babysitting while in high school. When I got to college I worked two jobs, one on campus in the student union and one in the kitchen at a restaurant in Durham, N.C.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Holy Bible. It offers inspiration, hope and consoles the soul.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Our world needs you. Kirk Franklin. It depicts how we as human are helpless and need God's help. It speaks to what is happening today.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Overcoming racial and gender barriers.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

The process for redistricting should consider "communities of interests". The process should be open, transparent and allow communities to provide input. Community participation is important because they make up the districts.

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

The US House of Representative is unique in the fact that it represents a district unlike the Senate which represents the entire state. The emphasis is on that District in that state. This allows the Representative to focus more on a smaller group of constituents.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

No. Career politicians are at times very difficult to deal with and often do not want to embrace change.

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

National Security to include protecting the freedoms many lost their lives for. Protecting and defending the Constitution. Restoring America as a World leader.

If you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

I would like to serve on the following committees not necessarily in order:

Armed Services

Veteran affairs

Intelligence

Appropriations

Agriculture

Climate Crisis

Foreign affairs

Small Business

Judiciary

If you are a current representative, why did you join your current committees?

NA

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

I believe in term limits. 3 terms or 6 years is an appropriate term length for representatives.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I believe we should have term limits because it should not be a career. Elected officials are supposed to be servants for the people. Career politicians are not good for our democracy.

If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?

I would be interested in joining the leadership in the U.S, House of Representative.

House Majority Whip or House Democratic Caucus Chair are roles I'm interested in serving.

Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Barbara Jordon the first Southern African American woman elected to the US House of Representatives. She was a Lawyer, educator and political who was a leader in the Civil Rights Movement.

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Yes, a dear mother in Waycross, GA son went missing over three years ago and the Justice system failed her and allowed the case to go cold. Many stories of how the criminal justice system has failed many families.

Many residents in the district expressed their desire to have a Veteran and a woman serve as their Congress person.

Heartbreaking to hear about the lack of healthcare (especially in rural areas).

Communities sick because of pollution caused by large factories.