Let's Go Red for Women!

As I have mentioned before, I am a "beauty queen"...really, I am the reigning Mrs. Prince George's County International 2010 for the state of Maryland. On Sunday, February 14th I will be competing for the title of Mrs. Maryland International with the hopes of continuing on to Mrs. International in July. (Keep your fingers crossed for me and if you care to help me in my fundraising efforts please visit my personal website.) I know many of you haven't heard of the International pageant system. It's not as popular as Miss America or Miss USA (Congratulations to Caressa Cameron, Miss VA 2009 and new Miss America by the way!), but it is a system that I'm proud to be a part of because of what it stands for. This pageant system believes in family, marriage, and women.

The importance of family and marriage is apparent in the way this system operates. In order to be selected for this pageant I had to answer this question in my application, "What is the greatest challenge facing married couples today?" You see, they recognize that the high divorce rate in the U.S. is a problem and they are in the business of lowering that number and want the proper representative to speak on this matter. Also, the women's husbands take part in the competition by escorting their wives in eveningwear. In other pageant systems the husband (or boyfriend) is forgotten or negelected in his significant other's shadow. Having my husband there is something I truly appreciate because he is my other half and he makes me shine just a little bit brighter! (Love you babe!)

This system is also on the forefront of women's heart health. They have an alliance with the American Heart Association's Go Red For Women campaign to, "fulfill the goal of brining awareness about the risks of heart disease...the number 1 killer of women in the United States today."

With all the "love" that is in the air during the month of February let's not forget about our heart health! This Friday, February 5th, 2010 is National Wear Red Day. Please show your support for the AHA and Go Red For Women by donating $5 and wearing red on the 5th. You can donate by clicking here.

I hope you all take this season of love as a time to practice heart healthy habits, to love your husbands, and to love yourselves!

Have a Happy Valentine's Day!