Throughout March, Lowe's will highlight associates across the company in honor of Women's History Month, and there's no better person to start with than sales associate Judy Wood.
Judy is celebrating her 50th anniversary with Lowe's, one of the longest-tenured employees at the company. Her first day was on March 14th, 1974. Richard Nixon was President, the song of the year was 'The Way We Were' by Barbara Streisand, and 'Blazing Saddles' was sweeping the box office. Now, 50 years later, she is still going strong with the company, and Joe McFarland, Executive Vice President of Stores, was on hand in Elkin, NC, to celebrate this major milestone alongside Judy and her colleagues.
Judy was showered with gifts, appreciation, and love on her 50th anniversary!
It's wonderful. I just never imagined, but it's wonderful.
In honor of Judy's 50th year at Lowe's, we asked her 50 questions to find out what it takes to achieve five decades at the same company.
Newsroom: Thanks for talking to us today. We're doing 50 questions for your 50th anniversary.
Judy: Okay, let's go.
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Newsroom: All right. What was the first thing you thought about this morning?
Judy: The first thing I thought about this morning was I pray every morning coming to work.
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Newsroom: And what'd you eat for breakfast?
Judy: I eat peanut butter and toast every morning.
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Newsroom: Where were you born?
Judy: I was born in North Wilkerson, North Carolina.
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Newsroom: What's your current occupation?
Judy: My current occupation is flooring specialist.
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Newsroom: How long have you been working at Lowe's?
Judy: I have been here for 50 years.
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Newsroom: Do you remember the first day?
Judy: Yes, ma'am.
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Newsroom: What was it?
Judy: It was March 14th, 1974.
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Newsroom: Who was the President?
Judy: Nixon.
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Newsroom: If you could give yourself one piece of advice from when you started 50 years ago, what would it be?
Judy: Stay positive.
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Newsroom: Did you think you would still be here today?
Judy: I didn't think about it back in (laughs) that time.
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Newsroom: Favorite food?
Judy: My favorite food is Mexican.
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Newsroom: Least favorite food?
Judy: My least favorite food is hominy.
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Newsroom: Favorite dessert?
Judy: My favorite dessert is Butterscotch Pie.
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Newsroom: What is the best part of your day?
Judy: The best part of my day is helping my customers.
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Newsroom: Favorite vacation?
Judy: My favorite vacation is Jerusalem.
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Newsroom: Where's one place in the world you want to visit?
Judy: Hawaii.
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Newsroom: What's the best compliment you've ever received?
Judy: "You've done a good job."
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Newsroom: Favorite item of clothing?
Judy: My favorite item of clothing is a sweater.
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Newsroom: Vest or apron?
Judy: Of course, apron. It's so much cooler. You've got so much more room.
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Newsroom: What's your favorite patch or badge you've ever received?
Judy: My 49 years.
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Newsroom: What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Judy: My greatest achievement is my repeat customers.
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Newsroom: How do you spend a Saturday in your hometown?
Judy: My Saturday in my hometown is cleaning my house.
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Newsroom: What's the best thing about your Lowe's store?
Judy: The best thing about my Lowe's store is my Lowe's family.
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Newsroom: Favorite color?
Judy: My favorite color is Peach.
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Newsroom: Favorite movie?
Judy: My favorite movie is Hope Floats.
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Newsroom: Favorite book?
Judy: My favorite book is The Bible.
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Newsroom: What is your favorite thing to do outside of work?
Judy: My favorite things are hiking and walking.
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Newsroom: What's a unique item sold in the past?
Judy: The "Richard Petty" lawnmower.
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Newsroom: What's an item that you wish were popular again?
Judy: Berber Carpet.
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Newsroom: What's meaningful about this being your 50th year at Lowe's?
Judy: That I have achieved a milestone.
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Newsroom: What's the key to your long and successful career?
Judy: It's just being positive, helping my customers and making friends.
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Newsroom: What's the biggest change you've seen at Lowe's in the last 50 years?
Judy: Systems.
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Newsroom: Opening shift or closing shift?
Judy: Opening.
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Newsroom: What's the best quality you've ever had in a manager?
Judy: Being personable.
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Newsroom: What's your signature dish for workplace potluck?
Judy: Potato soup.
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Newsroom: What's the best pair of shoes for being on your feet all day?
Judy: Hoka's.
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Newsroom: Favorite department you've ever worked in?
Judy: Flooring.
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Newsroom: What did you get from Lowe's for your 40th anniversary?
Judy: My Rolex.
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Newsroom: Beautiful. What was a famous musician from the time when you first started?
Judy: The Bee Gees.
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Newsroom: When you tell people you worked here for 50 years, what's their reaction?
Judy: They're just shocked.
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Newsroom: What are you most proud of? It could be anything.
Judy: My 50 years and my family.
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Newsroom: If you could have lunch with anyone, past or present, who would it be?
Judy: Princess Di
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Newsroom: Beach or Mountains?
Judy: Mountains.
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Newsroom: What is your favorite way to spend a rainy day?
Judy: Reading a book.
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Newsroom: What do you want people to know about working at Lowe's?
Judy: It's a good company to work for. You've just got to strive for what you want. You can become a manager or anything you want to if you set your mind to it.
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Newsroom: First Car?
Judy: Nova.
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Newsroom: Cooking or baking?
Judy: Baking
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Newsroom: What's the best advice you've ever gotten?
Judy: Stay positive and be true to yourself.
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Newsroom: Best advice you can give?
Judy: Be true to yourself.
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Newsroom: Are you going to go for that 60th anniversary?
Judy: Maybe, who knows!