Is Sisterhood Important in Pageantry?

Posing with my sorority sisters at our 10 year anniversary photo shoot in Birmingham, Alabama

At first glance at the above picture, you are probably wondering why I included a picture of my sorority sisters. Yes, I know this photo has nothing to do with pageantry, but it has everything to do with sisterhood. On October 1, 2006, I had the distinct pleasure and honor to experience sisterhood through the most illustrious organization on the planet. I do not have any biological sisters so I was thrilled when I gained 35 beautiful sisters through my beloved sorority. This same sisterhood is important in pageantry. So what exactly is sisterhood? According to the Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English, “Sisterhood is a relationship between sisters or an association, society, or community of women linked by a common interest, religion, or trade.” Pageant girls may not be joined by Greek letters, but they are joined by leadership, friendship, talent, and community service to just name a few. They are connected to an industry that is responsible for developing future leaders on local, state, and national levels.

Posing with Georgia’s Miss and Teen Miss Heart of the USA at the 2012 National Miss Heart of the USA Pageant in Orlando, Florida

This sisterhood allows them to network and develop relationships. That is why it is so important to preserve the sisterhood of pageantry. This preservation of sisterhood can be attained by doing the following simple acts for a pageant sister:

1. Offer an encouraging word. Tell a pageant sister that she can accomplish all of her dreams and desires if she works hard and have faith.
2. Give a compliment. Tell a pageant sister that she has an amazing voice or a winning personality.
3. Assist a fellow sister during pageant weekend. Offer to assist your pageant sister with her makeup or jewelry selection. One of my most memorable pageant experiences was when my sorority/pageant sister Kaye Jackson applied my makeup at the 2012 Miss Black Alabama USA Pageant. She was competing on that day as well, but she took time out of her schedule to assist me because the assigned makeup artist could not be found, and I had no idea on how to apply my own makeup. Kaye demonstrated a selfless act of sisterhood.
4. Sow into a sister’s life. Simply giving a sister a bottle of water or paying for her lunch can leave a lasting impact on her life. Random acts of kindness are appreciated.

Posing with my sorority sisters at the 2012 Miss Black Alabama USA Pageant. Kaye Jackson is the sister in the white gown who helped me with my makeup.

We should always elevate each other and pray for each other because we all need each other. As we progress in our pageantry careers, we must not take for granted the relationships we develop along the way. At the end of the day, no one is better than another. We are all united by a common love which is our love for pageantry.

2014 Tri-State Queens (Junior Miss, Teen Miss, Miss, and Ms.)