Miss America

Did you know that the Miss America pageant was last weekend? This pageant normally comes and goes without me noticing. Not because I don't care, but... well....OK. Yes, it is.  I don't care.

Except this year, I have something to say.

So, by now you may have seen that Miss America is this woman.

Isn't she pretty?

Apparently there has been some sort of backlash because of her race. I'm not sure on all the details, because I don't fill my mind with such foolishness. But, congratulations to her, I'm sure she worked really hard for this honor and I hope she uses the title to inspire young women across America.

Meanwhile, here is the contestant I heard the most about.

 

Isn't she pretty? 

 

She made my facebook newsfeed BLOW UP with posts! I'm guessing you heard of her, too. She is the first contestant to expose tattoos during the pageant. How daring. Also, she is in the Army and apparently likes to bow hunt. Clearly, she isn't the "cookie cutter" pageant contestant. She is beautiful, oh yes. But is this news worthy?

 

Lets review.

She CHOSE to join the Army. (Please don't mistake this for a women-in-the-military post. I'm not touching that subject)

She CHOSE to get a tattoo.

She CHOOSES to hunt, or whatever other hobbies she likes.

 

She has been in CONTROL of the things she is now being celebrated for. Her claim to fame is making waves in the pageant circuit because of her beauty choices. Isn't it great of her to be able to walk so confidently, even though she is in the military and has tattoos and likes to hunt? Shouldn't she be a model of strength for all women? Doesn't she EARN your RESPECT?

 

And here is my point: No. She absolutely doesn't. Those were her choices, and since she CHOSE them she better stinking present them with confidence.

 

Enter Miss Iowa.



Isn't she pretty?

As you can see, she is missing her forearm and hand. Why did we hear little (or nothing) about this contestant? She was BORN with this challenge, and has undoubtedly had more than her fair share of days when she felt low on confidence. This change for her is PERMANENT. There is no removal, no ability to separate from it, no ability to just CHOOSE something different.

She presents it with confidence and tackles sports, hobbies and life with little regard to something that would set so many back. THIS earns my respect.  She didn't choose her CIRCUMSTANCES, but she did choose her ATTITUDE. She chose to not let something she can't change get in her way. She chose to feel beautiful and confident.

Yes, Miss Kansas is beautiful. I'm not here to insult her or her choices in any way. What I am saying is that as a society we have it all wrong. Why didn't this woman make my newsfeed more than once? Why are we celebrating tattoos and hobbies while overlooking one's abilities to overcome significant obstacles?

As a mother to a daughter and an Aunt to a very sweet niece, the messages sent to women concern me greatly. Yes, the things they choose to do make them beautiful. But, the differences they choose to embrace in themselves highlight their beauty and inspire those around them.

We can be beautiful, or we can be beautiful and inspiring. For the little ladies in my life, I'd like to show them examples of the latter. Thanks for being a great example, Miss Iowa.