Why are pageants empowering and what are the benefits?

So, this is a topic that comes up a lot from people who don’t compete in pageants or fully understand them. Many people think that pageants are outdated and believe that pageants are just women walking around in a swimming costumes but this isn’t the case, so I have put a little list together about why I feel that pageants are empowering girls and women now and in the future, so if your new to pageants and unsure if you should enter one or why you should enter one hopefully this will give you a bit of an insight into them.

 

1. Sense of self

Knowing who you are and being confident in your own skin isn’t always easy, we all 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 your sense of self, your confidence will grow so if anyone gives you a negative comment you can ignore it easier so it doesn’t grow into something that really affects you in the future as it helps you build resilience which is a key part of having good mental health.

 

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 in heels without looking down and falling off stage is definitely a skill that isn’t as easy as it looks.

 

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 confidence! Having confidence can help you succeed in other areas of your life not just in pageants.

 

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 2 but being a pageant queen does give you a stage/platform so to speak to discuss your 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 to, which means you are again reaching a larger audience.

 

Seeing other girls and/or your picture in the paper talking about what you’re 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. It can be scary but knowing you have the support of fellow pageant queens, the director, or directors of a pageant gives you the confidence to do it and it feels great afterward.  You can use this skill of public speaking in the future too as many job roles require you to give speeches to others.

 

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

When you enter a pageant some of them will have a  chosen charity or charities that they support and ask you to fundraise for (which is optional so don’t feel pressured) 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 their online campaign, and this is a great opportunity again to learn about different charities, diseases, and illnesses.

 

6. Learn new skills and knowledge

There are a number of Eco pageants that allows you to learn more about how harmful plastic especially single-use plastic is to our oceans and our marine life as well as ideas on how you can limit your plastic use and what you could do to help. This type of pageant can be a truly eye-opening experience.

 

Some pageants even give you more extreme skills such as scuba diving and flying lessons you can either just do the taster course or you can carry on, it might open some doors for you that you never thought possible.

 

Another thing that you can learn about when traveling to internationals is different cultures and also a different language which can be a key skill in certain job roles you may desire in the future.

 

7. Be able to make a difference

Being able to make a difference in your local community and sometimes on a larger scale is so important to all pageant contestants. You get to truly understand the importance of charity work and the difference you can do in your local community. You can get involved in so many different ways from volunteering your time to taking part in runs, bungee jumps, skydives and even running marathons the list is endless.

 

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

Working with the charities, I’ve mentioned allows me to raise more awareness and funds for them through the press in my local papers, magazines, and social media. You never know depending on what topic you are promoting it could help make a difference in someone’s life.

 

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 pageant finalists from across the U.K. and if you are lucky to win a place at an international final you then get to meet other contestants from across the world 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 your chosen charity. This focus and determination can then be transferred into other areas of your life.

 

11. Goal setting techniques

Competing in a pageant helps you set short- and long-term goals. Again, the number of appearances you want to do split into time scales the same as how much money you want to raise for charity.

 

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. Pageant 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.

 

14. Good posture

This is something all pageant contestants learn which is brilliant to use every day 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? and pageants can really change your life for the better.

 

Much Love

Charlotte Lister

Ms. Diamond UK