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100 Black Women of Omaha inducts Offutt AFB Airman

  • Published
  • By Charles J. Haymond
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. (AFNS) --  In her office, hangs a white board covered with hand-written personalized to-do lists for Airmen she has taken under her wing. Although she left the realm of counseling to serve her country, she continues to find ways to integrate it into her new life with one goal in mind – to guide the leaders of tomorrow.

1st Lt. Valyn Beasley, 55th Medical Group practice manager healthcare administrator, was born and raised in North Omaha, merely miles from Offutt Air Force Base. While stationed so close to home, she spends her time, not only mentoring those inside its gates, but also members of her community and it has not gone unnoticed.

She was recently inducted into the National Coalition of 100 Black Women of Omaha, a non-profit advocacy organization designed to increase the economic growth, health and wellness,
 educational, political and social gains for women of color, with specific emphasis on enhancing the quality of life and lifestyles of all African-American women.

“These are all things that are important to me and I stand for their mission and values, especially education,” Beasley said. “Education has always been very important to me. It is one thing no one can take from you.”

Beasley has her master’s degree in counseling and business administration and is currently accepted into three Ph.D programs in organizational leadership.

“Growing up a first-generation student, in a single-parent home along with the other adversity that came with it, I have always been asked ‘how did you make it through all the struggles and hardship,’” she said. “I was in the lived-experience, so it did not come as a struggle to me, it was simply life for me. I have the ability to get through high stress conditions and still succeed.”

It is that mindset she hopes to pass along through her work with the NC100BW.

“Through advocacy these women work as change agents to influence policy that promotes gender equity in health, education and economic empowerment,” Beasley said. “It was an honor to be inducted. Now, I feel a greater sense of responsibility than I ever have. I need to do, and be, better in order to live up to this organization.”

After she applied for membership in the coalition, she was interviewed, where the president and the committee had to decide if she was qualified to become a part of the group.

Beasley was recognized for her community service and how she impacted her environment. She is a part of a mentorship group that advises young women, ages 11-18.

“I am already doing the work that this organization is designed to achieve,” she said. “I care about my community and am always working to make it and others better.

Beasley said she is very happy to be a representative of Omaha and hopes to improve the future of her home area.

“I was honored that the work I have been doing in my community for so long was recognized,” said Beasley. “I am truly passionate about helping others achieve their full potential, personally, professionally and academically. I believe being inducted into the NC100BW of Omaha will help me to influence others on a larger scale, because of my involvement others have already asked me how they can get involved and I believe bringing awareness and educating is one of the best ways to influence others.”