Payton Beaumier was born in Rancho Mirage, California. At the age of five, her father was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s Disease, and her family moved to Sioux City, Iowa to be closer to relatives. After the death of her father, Payton watched as her mother worked though great struggle and took on the role as a single parent to her and her sister. Her mother’s selflessness and strength inspired her to do her part in creating a better world for those who have endured hardships.
Starting in the 6th grade, Payton became a Young Ambassador for the Sioux City Mayor’s Youth Commission. On the Commission, Payton served as a liaison between the City Council and the local youth to address issues and improve her town. MYC was just the start of Payton’s journey to be the light in a world that at times can be so dark.
In high school, Payton served as a member in the Woodbury County Teen Court that served as an alternative to formal legal involvement in the Juvenile Justice System in her area to help youth get on the right path. Her devotion to changing lives carried over to her work as a mentor for the Mentor’s in Violence Prevention program at her school, where she taught freshmen about sexual assault, consent, and relating topics. Starting her junior year, Payton served on the State of Iowa Youth Advisory Council as a member of the Human Rights Committee and was introduced to topics that would later become the work she pursued. As a member, she co-authored a proposal that pursued legislation that would mandate sexual violence curriculum all across the State of Iowa. Her work on the council and her developed passion for human rights issues gave Payton the confidence to found her own group in her town, entitled Siouxland Teens Against Human Trafficking. The goal of the organization was to combat trafficking through education, awareness and service. With the guidance of her mother and the help of those around her, Payton was able to realize her desire to help others on a larger scale.
Payton carried her passion into college and now attends George Washington University in Washington D.C. She is majoring in International Affairs with concentrations in Conflict Resolution and Global Public Health. At GWU, Payton serves as a Student Government Senator, representing the Elliott School of International Affairs. She is also a member of Delta Phi Epsilon, a professional foreign service sorority, that has allowed her to develop her love of International Affairs even further.
Payton hopes to attend law school after obtaining her B.A. and practice International Law, specifically pertaining to human rights. Her ultimate aspiration is to be the voice for those who are often lost in the shadows; she wants to bring them into her light and improve human rights on a global level.
