For quite a few years I have been known as the “pageant girl”. Which, honestly, has never offended me. I am a pageant girl and I love it. Although, when people refer to me as the “pageant girl”, I feel as if it is followed with a such a negative connotation. There are stereotypes for everything, that’s just life. And yes, there are girls I know that meet the idea of the “pageant girl” stereotype. BUT, I am here to clear something up- especially about me and my friends in pageantry.
No, we don’t stare at ourselves in the mirror every chance we get.
In contrary, I know girls who prompt positive body image and speak to schools and organizations regularly about it.
Yes, a lot of us love makeup and dressing up. But, heck no I don’t do it every day. My go to outfit is a t-shirt and no makeup!
Most pageant organizations encourage their girls to create a platform or find something they are passionate about. There are sometimes required volunteer hours and most girls surpass those.
The “pageant girls” that I have come to know and love; they are kind and selfless. They have found something that has given them a voice and they use this voice every chance they get to promote what they love. Whether that be a talent, organization or idea.
I have come to find we each have one special talent in common. We have mastered the art of walking in 6+ inch heels at hours on end. Although, most of us, well maybe just me, would rather be barefoot.
No, we are not all stick thin. We push ourselves to be the best we can be. We all can struggle with the working out every day and eating healthy. But we have all been created in God’s image, which makes us all beautiful and unique. When I say “we” and “us”, I am referring to all women not just those who compete in pageants.
Bottom line, there are stereotypes for all things. It is up to us believe them or prove them wrong. This is me, proving this one wrong. Although, there are always a few exceptions. I have meet some of my best friends through pageantry and modeling. These girls are people I try to model my life after. These women are kind, elegant, and beautiful women of faith. They strive to become better every day; they are pure servants of the Lord. I wouldn’t be who I am today without pageants. So next time someone calls you a “pageant girl”, remember to take it as a compliment because you know who you are. And next time you call someone a “pageant girl”, try to think of this rather than that stereotype you have stuck in your mind.
