Inclusive pageantry systems

Hello! My name is Aliya and I am your Ms. West Coast Regency International 2020/2021. I have had a different path to pageantry than most; getting started at a later age with no prior experience in pageantry which I feel has given me a different perspective than most. I don’t consider myself to be a beauty queen per se; I think that puts more emphasis on the outward appearance instead of the other personality traits and contributions that are most valuable in a pageant participant. For me, one of the most important aspects of being a queen is the instantaneous role in which you are placed as a role model with a platform upon which you can engage others and your community.

I was initially inspired to participate in a pageant by my daughter. She had participated in a few pageants in the past and encouraged me to do one myself. I thought “hey why not”, so feeling motivated, I searched online for pageants that welcomed women older than 30 years old and those with families. That’s how I came across the Regency International Organization. 

The Regency International Organization was created by the international director Terri Dingle. The competitions don’t just focus on beauty, but also allow each woman and young girl the opportunity to grow and advance their personal and career goals while acting as role models in their community through volunteerism and service. There are several states, including my home state of California, that hold a state pageant to select titleholders to advance to the international pageant held each year in Las Vegas, NV. For states that do not have a state pageant, there is the opportunity to represent the state or region as an At-Large delegate. There are also several international pageants that feed into the Regency system and send their delegates to the Regency International pageant each year. The focus on community service and other contributions rather than beauty alone was actually one of the main things that really drew me toward participating in the Regency system over some other systems out there.

I’m really excited to see more Ms./Mrs. categories being incorporated into pageant systems which for a long time have not been open for women beyond their 20’s or those with families. Women are eligible for the Ms./Mrs. categories are incredible role models and are exactly the type of titleholders that pageant systems should be recognizing and looking to have as ambassadors. Not only are we continuing to make tremendous contributions to our communities but we are also professional women who have established ourselves in our chosen careers and continue to set new goals to reach. I personally think that inclusive pageantry benefits everyone. Beauty exists throughout a woman’s lifespan and I think it is important to show that today’s queens are not just beautiful women but accomplished women of substance. This year, a curve division was also added to the Regency system which is an exciting opportunity to celebrate women of all sizes.

Inclusive pageantry systems like the Regency International Organization remind us that today’s queen doesn’t have to conform to a specific look and that beauty is everywhere – in all shapes and sizes. Every girl and woman should feel embraced, celebrated, and know that she is valued regardless of the color of her skin, the shape of her body, or her age. Who doesn’t feel amazing when they have the opportunity to get all dressed up and rock the runway.