NEVER Forget

This week's blog is dedicated to all those affected by the 9-11-01 tragedies.  The victims, the families, the survivors, the first responders, the military and the numerous citizens who helped their fellow man in any capacity!  Our prayers are continually with those who still suffer and remember the horrible events! 

I still remember hearing the news and trying to get home from my office on 18th & K Streets NW Washington, DC - two blocks from the White House.   At that point, there was no way that any American couldn't be affected - some how.  For 51 beautiful women, it was very trying - worrying about their families and loved ones. 



In September 2001, the Mrs. America pageant was taking place in Honolulu, Hawaii.  One of the contestants was the infamous - now famous, Omarosa Manigault {Stallworth} who competed as Mrs. District of Columbia.

Always a pageant girl,  Omarosa with good friend and Mrs. Galaxy 2008, Darlene Deeben

The winner of that pageant, Nicole Brink of Indiana Mrs. America 2001) went on to win the title of Mrs. World 2002!  

Take THAT world!  You can knock us down, but you'll never count us out!  U-S-A, WE'LL NEVER FORGET

Truly INTERNATIONAL

Nothing is more gratifying than seeing a title holder live up to her full potential.  I had to the opportunity to do that over the past two months as I watched Miss International Ciji Dodds and her circle of pageant friends and supporters prepare for her trip to Haiti. 

For the next week, Ciji will be hosted by the reigning Miss Haiti Universe Anedie Azael, the founder of Peace. Love. International - an organization she founded to bring betterment to her home country, especially following the devastating 2010 earthquake that destroyed parts of the Carribbean nation.  Miss Azael has promised to show Ciji the Haiti we DON'T see!!!

A dynamic view from Club Indigo in Haiti

Ciji has spent a lot time over the last 60 days requesting and securing donations of pencils, pens, crayons, books, construction paper and other supplies which she will gift to children in orphanages and schools during her one week visit.

Not only will she visit and gift children, she will be a part of a larger delegation including several 2011 Miss Universe contestants: Miss Guatemala, Miss Brazil, Miss Peru, Miss Mexico, Miss Singapore, Miss Netherlands, Miss Ireland, Miss Jamaica, Miss Denmark, Miss New Zealand and Miss Paraguay.

 Shakira Martin, Miss Jamaica Universe 2011

  Alejandra Barillas, Miss Guatemala Universe 2011

They will participate in many activities including helping to select the new Miss Tourism North and Mr. & Miss Carrefour.  I am sure she will have plenty of pictures and videos to share upon her return.

As Miss International, Ciji has promoted the platfrom - "Fighting Illiteracy Begins With Your First Book" throughout the country.  It is TRULY a pleasure to see her take it INTERNATIONALLY!!!

Just Read!!!!! Miss International 2011

Congratulations to Ciji Dodds, Esq. the new Miss International 2011!!!!!  Competing in the pageant as the Maryland representative, Ciji wowed the judges with her beauty, composure and intelligence!!!

 Ciji after winning the title and her Executive Director, DeShawn Shepard

Ciji is an alum of Howard University School of Law, as well as the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, obtaining a degree in Journalism.  Her platform, which she will continue to promote as Miss International is "Just Read - Fighting Illiteracy Starts with your First Book"

 Ciji and her sister queen, Sandra Bryan-Grier, Mrs. Maryland International meet Nicole Ari Parker at the 2011 Heart and Soul Red Carpet Gala.

Ciji promotes reading and fighting youth illiteracy.

As Miss Maryland International, Ciji was named an official ambassador for First Book, a national non-profit organization providing books and grants to schools and organizations. As Miss International 2011, she will broaden these partnerships to bring books and reading rooms to children across the country. To date, in connection with First Book, she has organized a virtual book fair that has provided more than 500 preschool and elementary school children with their very own books.  She also partnered with Reach Out and Read to establish reading areas in local hospitals providing families with a fun diversion from the real purpose of the visit.       

When asked about her passion for reading, youth literacy and book ownership she explained, "At 13 years old, I lost a very close friend of mine.  She did not die, she did not move. Her mother unknowingly signed away her parental rights because she could not read.   Until that moment, I thought everyone was like me and read every night before going to bed.  I never knew there were people without access to books or a parent who could read them bedtime stories.  This tragedy taught me that literacy is an essential skill that can mean the difference between a life of poverty and dependence, prosperity and empowerment.  I'm so glad I received my First Book and developed a love of reading.   Now I plan to pass the importance of reading and my love for books on to others."

I would be remiss if I didn't note that Ciji is the first African-American woman to win this title in the pageant's history!!!!   Let's hear it for Beauty & Brains!!!!

How do I choose THE ONE?

One of the great things about pageantry is you have the opportunity to meet women and girls from all over the world, literally!  Pageantry is also one of those industries where the reach is "six degrees of separation".  A month ago, I received an e-mail from one of my sorority sisters asking if she could put me in touch with another sorority sister who is now living in the Virgin Islands and will be competing for Mrs. Virgin Islands United States in a few weeks. 

Since connecting, one of the things that we've discussed is "how do I choose the right evening gown?"  The biggest challenge for her is that she has to search for her evening gown primarily online with very little time between purchasing it and the pageant to try it on and get any alterations made.  Because evening gowns are a tricky thing and you have to be very, very careful.   The fact that she is having a hard time finding something in person and is now looking online makes it even more stress.  There are so many things to take into account and think about when making the selection.  What looks good on your friend may not look the same on you.  For women of color, it's even more challenging because most designer evening gown models are don't "look like us", so we have to take extra steps to envision ourselves in a gown.  Most of all, you have to remember that the evening gown should be perfect for YOU, regardless of how the model or another contestant may have looked in it.  

Sampling of evening gowns from the Miss Universe 2007 pageant

Sampling of evening gowns from the Miss Universe 2008 pageant

Sampling of evening gowns from the Miss USA 2008 pageant

There are tons of tutorials out there that instruct on how to choose an evening gown.  But I'd like to add, that when considering your dress, there are few "out of the ordinary" things you should take into consideration like color, weight of the dress, your height, stage set up for your pageant, ease of movement and the peek a boo factor.  Now I know you may be wondering what I mean by peek a boo factor.  Have you ever seen someone on stage in a beautiful plunging gown or a backless gown and they look completely uncomfortable?  Perhaps they didn't purchase the correct double sided tape, or they didn't realize the backless bra they purchased wouldn't truly hold them.

Sassybax: Very Bare Backless Bra by Bare Necessities

These factors, when thought about separately may not be a big deal, but when you combine them - if not addressed properly, they could spell disaster.   If you're a size 2, weighing 99 pounds - that gorgeously adorned Tony Bowls may be too much for your frame.  Instead of gliding and showcasing your gown beautifully, you could wind up looking weighted and worried.

One Shoulder Beaded Tony Bowls Collection Pageant Dress 110C02

You may have dreamed of wearing a orange, lavender, blue or pink gown for your evening gown competition in your pageant.  However, if you plan on tanning (lotion, spray, tanning bed or natural) be sure to take how colors look with different shades of skin into account when selecting your dress.  Will the pale yellow tint you envisioned work if you are three shades darker in early spring as opposed to late summer?

  Spray tanning prevents one from the ill and harmful effects of the ultra violet rays of the sun.

What works in the selection of an evening gown is as unique as the pattern of a snow flake.  As long as you are picking something that works for your body, your comfort level, enhances your confidence and makes you feel like the best you on stage - you can be sure you've chosen the right one!

Ain't No Stopping Her Now....Ms. America

This was so inspirational and uplifting I had to share.  This partial blog re-post is courtesy of AMS Vans, Inc.

Mother of 2 Crowned Ms. America after 11 Years in Wheelchair

After facing many obstacles in her life, including a hit and run accident in 1996 that left her in a wheelchair for 11 years, 36 year old California mom Tracy Broughton won the 2011 Ms. America title. Broughton will go on a twelve month tour with her crown making personal appearances and promoting awareness for disability rights.

As a busy single mother of twins, Broughton still makes time for her modeling career, heading a legal aid business, and donates her time to charity. Ms. Broughton plans to use her title to bring awareness to disability rights and be a role model for all those who use wheelchairs every day. Disability rights has been an issue close to Ms. Broughton’s heart since she was paralyzed in an accident from which she is still recovering.

Winner of the Miss Black California pageant in 2003 while still confined to a wheelchair, Tracy Broughton hopes to use her new Ms. America crown to target disability rights.   Read the rest..

On Sunday, January 30, 2011 (there's that day again) at the Doubletree Guest Suites Anaheim Resort in Anaheim, CA, finalists from across the United States competed in Interview, Sportswear, Evening Gown and the finalist On-Stage Question.

The Ms. America ® Pageant is for women 26 years of age and up who are single, divorced or married. Over $40,000 in gifts and prizes will be awarded at this year’s pageant which includes a $25,000 crown designed and crafted by Newport Jewelers of Newport Beach, CA.

To make the evening even more special for Tracy Broughton, 36, from Ladera Ranch, California, she can now consider herself positive addition to Black History Month notes as she is the first African American to be crowned Ms. America !!!!!!