Miss America In The Modern Age
Miss America is a century old tradition, but she certainly isn’t antiquated.
What are the first things that come to your mind when you think of pageants? I can wager that it’s probably along the lines of parades of beautiful women, that one queen who stumbled through her answer on national television, a dramatic crowning moment, and lots and lots of rhinestones. But what I’m sure you didn’t picture were those same women in their evening gowns attending class at their university, focused on their studies without the stress of tuition. Can I be honest? That’s a more realistic picture of a modern beauty queen.
Miss America has always had a rebellious side. The century-old tradition began as a bathing beauty pageant on the boardwalk in Atlantic City going against the modest social standards that forbid women from wearing swimsuits. But what started as a beauty pageant has evolved into one of the world’s largest scholarship providers for women. It’s one of the few spaces where women are celebrated and rewarded for being beautiful, talented, compassionate, and intelligent. When society tells us we have to choose between being glamorous and intelligent, Miss America smiles back, “No, thank you,” because she refuses to be limited. Like I said, Miss America is a bit rebellious.
Miss America is the woman who can entertain children at a school at 10:00, run a board meeting at 2:00 and change into an evening gown for a gala that night where she delivers the keynote address. The preparation for the competition was the preparation of a lifetime that launches women into success no matter their chosen profession. This was especially true for me.
At age 5, my mom signed me up to become a Miss South Carolina Princess, Miss South Carolina’s mentorship program for girls. While participating in this program, I asked my mom if I could start a community service project “like the big girls did.” Because I loved writing letters, I decided to pen letters to children whose parents were serving in the military. With the help of my class and community we wrote hundreds of letters. Ten years later while preparing for the interview phase of competition for Miss South Carolina Teen my passion for politics was born. Not only so, I received the public speaking training and confidence needed to pursue a career in political communications. I give Miss South Carolina the credit for helping me land a job at the White House immediately after college with zero connections.
Thousands of women enter the competition each year to prove that they are the American girl next door. From talent and evening gown to fitness and an interview that would put most politicians to shame, Miss America contestants earn scholarships each step of the way through the competition. In fact, in my home state of South Carolina, we proudly lead the nation by awarding Miss South Carolina a $60,000 scholarship every year. Women who compete earn hundreds of thousands of dollars to put towards their education.
These scholarships are funded by people who are enthusiastic about helping women succeed scholastically and beyond. When you donate to the Miss America Scholarship Foundation you are investing in a woman’s future. I challenge you to make a woman’s dreams of higher education come true by donating to the Miss America competition.
