Pageants have long been a hot topic of debate. Critics argue that they promote unrealistic beauty standards and objectify women by reducing their worth to appearances. But that view is outdated and fails to take into account the ways in which pageants, especially modern ones like the Miss USA and Miss America system, have evolved into platforms for empowerment, confidence, and purpose. Instead of being shallow or outdated, pageants today are powerful platforms that uplift young women, offer them scholarships, public speaking skills, networking opportunities, and the self-confidence to excel in any field they choose.
First and foremost, pageants provide young women with the opportunity to develop confidence in a way that cannot be replicated. Standing on a stage in front of a crowd and a panel of judges is never easy, it requires composure, preparation, and a strong stage presence among other things. Pageants push contestants to carry themselves with grace, to think fast when faced with questions, and to speak concisely and passionately about the causes they care about. These skills are transferable to every aspect of life, and equip these women to take on any interview or boardroom they may face in their future.
The Miss America and Miss USA organizations in particular place an emphasis on personal development and education over just physical appearance. The Miss America Organization, for example, is the largest provider of scholarships for women in the United States, and gives out millions of dollars annually to winners and runner ups. This fact alone debunks the myth that pageants are just about looks. The women who compete are often students, scientists, advocates, and entrepreneurs just to name a few.
Miss USA on the other hand focuses more on leadership and advocacy. Many former contestants have gone on to become lawyers, doctors, journalists, personalities, and public spokespeople. These women credit their pageant experience with giving them the confidence to pursue their goals and the tools to succeed in these competitive industries. The pageant world teaches women how to interview with conviction, carry themselves in high-stakes situations, and articulate ideas in a smart but relatable way all while embracing their femininity and womanhood instead of suppressing it.
Pageants provide an opportunity for women to be it all: smart, driven, beautiful, articulate, confident, the list goes on. Many titleholders advocate for various social causes and make it a point to raise awareness and make contributions to these communities throughout their year as well. Think Camille Schrier, Miss America 2020, who broke stereotypes by demonstrating a science experiment during her talent segment to promote STEM education for young girls. Or Miss USA 2016 Deshauna Barber, a U.S. Army Reserve captain, who redefined what it means to be both strong and feminine, proving that these qualities are not mutually exclusive.
From personal experience, I can say these women and countless others only serve as inspiration for me and others in my same position. The skills I have learned from pageantry alone have helped me secure scholarships, jobs, modeling opportunities, connections, and experiences that I would have never been provided if I hadn’t taken the step to begin competing. The confidence I have when walking into any room, interview, or environment is unmatched thanks to the qualities I gained from competing. On top of this, I’ve met and made countless friends from across the country through the unique bond that women in pageantry share. The lessons I learned from being able to maintain my worth and confidence even when sharing the stage with hundreds of other women just as good if not better than me has made me into the woman I am today, hands down.
So rather than dismissing pageants as outdated and anti-feminist, we should recognize them for what they truly are: platforms of empowerment. Especially in a world where so many women struggle with self-worth, body image, and finding their voices, pageants offer a space where they can grow their confidence, discover purpose, and celebrate who they are. Participating in pageants isn’t about trying to be perfect, it’s about embracing your individuality boldly; and for me and thousands of other women across the country it has given us the opportunity and confidence to do just that.
