Help Get Jacqueline to Miss CA USA

Since I was 5 years old I have been watching the @missusa pageants and every year I have hoped to see a woman that I feel truly represents me. Throughout the years there have been so many different title holders that have broken barriers and set new standards of beauty, they have proven that representation is extremely important in our society. These past few years Miss USA and Miss DC have shattered glass ceilings for demanding representation for black women. In 2019, for the first time ever, Miss Teen USA, Miss USA, and Miss Universe titles were all held by black women. The time is now to continue the momentum in breaking barriers for all women. This upcoming year will be the 70th anniversary of the Miss USA organization and since its inception it has continuously left out a large group of women, full figured women. Over 70% of women in the United States are above the size represented on the Miss DC and Miss USA stage yearly, and I am one of them. I wanted to do this not only for myself but for the millions of women who are constantly told by our society that we are not beautiful because we are not skinny enough. It has taken a long time to love myself and it is something I work on everyday. It has taken years to understand that “skinny” does not equate to healthy and healthy does not equate to “skinny”. Your body size does not control who you are or your value and I want to stand up and give a voice to those women who feel like they’re bodies are not accepted. I figured if not me who else? Who else will be the first so there won’t be a last?