She is known for her studies on the history of women in journalism, especially during early periods when they were poorly represented in the field, and for her research concerning the life and work of Eleanor Roosevelt.

[3][4] Beasley was one of the top performing students in her class -- however, she was put off journalism by sexist hiring practices, turning instead to teaching in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

She pursued her master's degree at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, where she ranked third in the class.

Encountering the customary prejudice against women reporters of the day, she considers her 10 years at The Post an unhappy period of her life, eventually leaving in 1973.

[2][3][4] Beasley started teaching as a part-time instructor at the University of Maryland College of Journalism in 1974 and was promoted to assistant professor in 1975.

At Maryland, she served as the primary dissertation advisor for 27 Ph.D. students, 10 of whom won national awards for their work in journalism history.

[3][6] Beasley received a Fulbright grant in 2020 to teach journalism for a semester at Jinan University in Guangzhou, China.