Why are pageants empowering ? By Ms Diamond South Yorkshire 2020

So this is a topic that comes up a lot from pageant outsiders and by outsiders I mean people that don’t compete or know anyone that does compete.

So I have put a little list together about why I feel that pageants are empowering to girls and women.

1. Sense of self

Knowing who are you and being confident in your own skin isn’t always easy, we have something we don’t like about ourselves but being a pageant allows you to know your strengths, your value and what’s really important to you. Sometimes trying to find a sense of self can take a lifetime but with the help of pageants you can learn this quicker. By knowing this your confidence will improve so if any one gives you a nasty comment you can ignore it easier so it doesn’t grow into something that really affects you in future.

2. Boosted confidence

Like I said in point 1 pageants really do boost your confidence it might be scary before you go out on stage but knowing you walked in 5 inch heels in an evening dress without falling off stage is truly empowering. Also learning to walk on a stage without looking down is definitely a skill !

In some pageants you have to give a speech on a topic or answer questions to hundreds of people which again is scary but we do it and we do it well because pageants give us the confidence to do it !

Within the pageant network we all support each other so if you have a platform or charity you want to speak about the pageant community will give you the support and confidence you need to stand up and make difference.

3. Allows you to speak about your platform to a larger audience

I did slightly cover this in point too but being a pageant queen does give you a stage so to speak to discuss you pageant platform on a larger scale. The pageant community will always support you and the press normally are interested in finding out what pageant girls are up too ! Seeing other girls and/or your picture in the paper talking about what your doing or supporting you is incredibly empowering if not someone emotional too.

4. Gain skills in public speaking

Again I have touched on this but in some pageants you do have to give speeches to guests and judges. Last year I had to do this for Ms Scuba U.K. and I was terrified but I did it and I was so proud of myself afterwards !

5. Learn more about charities such as the pageants chosen charity

When you enter a pageant some of them have chosen charities that they support and ask you to fundraise for (which is optional) but by them doing this it allows you to learn about different charities, how they work and how they support people.

I did mention that pageant girls support each other with there online campaign and this is a great opportunity again to learn about different charities, diseases and awareness campaigns.

6. Learn new skills and knowledge

Last year when I competed in Ms Scuba UK I learnt so much ! For those that don’t know Miss & Ms Scuba is all about saving our oceans through beauty. This system allowed me to learn more about how harmful plastic especially single use plastic is to our oceans and our marine life as well ideas on how you can limit your plastic use and what you could do to help. This was truly an eye opener as it’s something you often see but I didn’t really research about. But now I do make sure I avoid single use plastic where possible, I recycle and I tell my daughter the damage that plastic can do.

Now that was just one side of Ms Scuba U.K. as I also got the chance to try scuba diving which I haven’t done since I was 14 years old. I absolutely loved scuba diving but I have a fear of water going into my eyes as I wear contact lenses so when it came to filling my mask up with water I did struggle but apart from that it was an amazing skill to learn. The top 3 Miss winners and Ms winner then went to become qualified in lots of different aspects of scuba diving too !

7. Be able to make a difference in your local community and sometimes on a larger scale

So I always tried to do some fun runs and things like that before pageants but by entering a pageant it allowed me to truly understand the importance of charity work and the difference you can do in your local community.

I do try to work a lot with the local charities in my community such as Aurora Wellbeing who support cancer patients with free beauty patients and a wig loan service as well as Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.

8. Put a spotlight on a topic that’s close to your heart

By working with the charities I’ve mentioned it allows me to raise more awareness and funds for them through Press in my local papers and social media.

9. Make friends from across the U.K. and sometimes the world

Competing means that you might have to travel to the final and meet other girls from across the U.K. and if you lucky to win a place at an international Final you then get to meet other contestants from across the world and hopefully call them friends.

10. Gives you focus and determination

Being a pageant contestant gives you focus and determination from the number of appearances you want to achieve to the amount of money you want to raise for you chosen charity.

11. Goal setting techniques

I have previously mentioned this in a previous blog post but being a pageant girl helps you set short and long term goals. Again the number of appearances you want to do split into time scales the same with fundraising amounts.

12. Interview skills

This is an amazing skill to know and use and interviews don’t just happen in pageants but also in your working life. Pageants interviews give you the opportunity to sell yourself, your value discuss your hobbies and much more which can then be transferred into a job interview.

13. Learn your strengths and weaknesses

So this is a brilliant skill to learn and again can be transferred into your working life. Knowing your strengths and weaknesses is very important so you know what to work on in the future so you are an all rounded queen. I always struggle with confidence on stage so I’ve been volunteering for Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice for things like cheque presentations this not only benefits the Hospice but also myself so I can gain more confidence before the final.

14. Good posture

This is something all pageant contestants learn which is brilliant to use everyday as it will stop certain aches and pains especially in heels and standing for long periods of time.

All these things really do empower you don’t you agree ?