Meet Valerie Moore
Miss Black Pennsylvania USA 2010
Welfare, food stamps and food banks. This is how Valerie’s journey towards becoming Miss Black Pennsylvania began over two and a half decades ago. In the midst of poverty, Valerie’s mother developed a clear vision of how she was going to equip her children with the best foundation from which they could build upon: a solid education. Valerie has since strengthened her mother’s vision, to embrace leadership roles in service to her community. Traveling nationally and abroad, Valerie exemplifies her credence that although charity may start locally, in our homes and neighborhoods, it certainly does not have to end there. She has aided in the reconstruction of multiple homes during two relief missions to New Orleans, provided sight restoring ophthalmic care to over 1,000 patients in Ghana, West Africa, and has helped enable over 800 people in the small town of Neiba near the Dominican Republic/Haitian border to receive healthcare they would have previously had to suffer without.
Upon entering graduate school, Valerie’s leadership qualities were quickly recognized by her peers, as she was selected as the class representative in the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Student Government Association. She continues her community activism as a member of several civil organizations, including the Student National Medical Association where she is a chairperson on the electoral board, the National Latino Health Organization, the Christian Medical Association and the American Osteopathic College of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Valerie has also had the opportunity to whet her political appetite by participating in the 2009 Doctor of Osteopathy Day on the Hill, where she lobbied members of Congress to responsibly improve the state of our current healthcare system.
Valerie’s continual pursuit to fulfill God’s vision for her life has been an important driving force and point of resolve. As a product of the public school system, Valerie is vastly aware of the shortcomings currently faced by many academic institutions. Recalling her mother’s early intervention, however, she is further aware of the crucial role that parents occupy in overcoming such inadequacies. During her year of service as Miss Black Pennsylvania, Valerie strives to restore a strong collective vision for our communities by mobilizing parents and emphasizing: Education, Civil Engagement, Social Responsibility and Personal Accountability. Valerie will continue to be at the forefront of initiatives that empower and motivate Pennsylvania’s youth to set high standards for themselves and their peers.
Although her journey to becoming a Miss Black USA delegate has been challenging, Valerie relishes each trial as an opportunity to encourage others through her faith and fortitude. Valerie is a published poet, who enjoys the fine arts, reading and jogging. She is an alumna of Drexel University and is currently a student at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Valerie is the proud daughter of Thomas Harried, Jr. and Florence Phillips.
