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Platform Program: Miss Americas Make a Difference
In a time of rapid change for America and, in particular, young Americans, Miss America has a vital new role to play as a key representative and advocate of the ideals and ideas that forge America’s future.
In 1989, the Miss America Organization instituted the Platform Program to facilitate this new role. The Platform Program requires each individual who competes for Miss America, and ultimately each woman who holds the Miss America title, to choose an issue relevant to society that mandates the public’s attention and a requisite call to action. Since that time, Miss Americas have concentrated on the most significant concerns facing America today: AIDS awareness and prevention, the effect of domestic violence on society, ways to motivate young people to service and many others. The following are highlights of the past three Miss Americas' years of service.
Education : University of Central Florida
Platform: “United We Stand. Divided We Fall Behind: Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion.”
Quote:“ I envision an America where children and adults are free to pursue their aspirations without cultural barriers. I know it is possible. I am living proof. The country’s motto reminds us of this mission: to build a unified nation of peoples from many backgrounds and cultures. E Pluribus Unum – one from many.“
Highlights of Year of Service:
- Officially launched her platform:"United We Stand. Divided We Fall Behind: Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion" at Ellis Island, New York.
- Addressed corporations, universities, schools, legislators and community leaders about celebrating diversity and inclusion. Traveled the country to raise awareness of her message and to help eliminate prejudice and discrimination.
- Traveled to Kuwait to perform for the troops over the Thanksgiving holiday, visited injured troops and their families at the Naval Medical Center in Washington, DC and attended several USO events.
- Performed at the 32 nd Annual CMA Music Festival.
- Sang the National Anthem before the Senate and the House in Tallahassee, FL. She also performed at 229th Army Birthday Ball in Long Beach, CA.
- Served as Grand Marshal of the EA SPORTS(TM) 500 NASCAR at the Talladega Superspeedway and participated at prestigious parades such as the 20th Annual Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade, 16th Annual Neiman Marcus Adolphus Children's Parade and the 44th Annual WSB-TV Salute 2 America July 4 th Parade.
- Participated in the Children's Miracle Network and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Conventions.
- Appeared on a variety of television programs such as The Oprah Winfrey Show , Hollywood Squares, Live! With Regis and Kelly, The Today Show, Last Call with Carson Daly, “On the Record” with Greta Van Susteren, The CBS Early Show, Fox News' The O'Reilly Factor and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.
Education: University of Illinois
Platform: Preventing Youth Violence and Bullying: “Respect Yourself, Protect Yourself”
Quote: "As Miss America 2003, I am issuing a national call to action, challenging every segment of American society to take a proactive, comprehensive approach to eradicating the culture of violence and harassment that is pervasive."
Highlights of Year of Service:
- Spoke extensively on national media outlets about her platform.
- Garnered support from government and non-government agencies, governors, legislators and members of Congress to champion her cause.
- Spoke before the Pennsylvania State Senate in Harrisburg regarding her platform. Additionally, she participated in Senator Greenleaf’s press conference in support of his anti-bullying bill.
- Urged school districts to draft anti-harassment policies and traveled across the country to inspire children in schools and community groups about her platform.
- Traveled to Cheyenne, Wyoming, where she participated in “An Evening of Hope, of Change, of Challenge” in conjunction with Rachel’s Challenge, a school violence program based on the life and writings of Rachel Scott, the first person to be shot and killed at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999.
- Received the National Center for Victims of Crime’s Leadership Award in New York City.
- Visited Washington, D.C. to support the troops and participated in the U.S.O.'s 20th Annual Awards Dinner.
- Visited the Bethesda Naval Hospital where she encouraged several men who sustained injuries during their service in Iraq.
- Shared her platform with two of her role models, National Security Advisor Dr. Condoleeza Rice and Senator Elizabeth Dole.
- Attended the launch of the World Health Organization’s first ever Report on Violence and Health in Belgium, which covered the current state of youth violence, prevention and recommended action.
- Involvement with The Children’s Miracle Network, an organization that helps fund medical care for seriously ill children.
- Participated in different events such as the Super Bowl and launching Miss U.S. Virgin Islands Scholarship Program.
- Appeared in different shows such as David Letterman Show, Hollywood Squares, The Wayne Brady Show, Good Morning America, Live! With Regis and Kelly and MSNBC’s Saturday Night Final.
Education: Portland State University – Portland, OR
Platform: Breast Cancer in America: Caring Community-by-Community
Quote: “As Miss America 2002, I used my influence to support women battling breast cancer, especially those who are struggling in the last days of their lives. I support any program or initiative that conveys messages of hope, improves their quality of life and provides information, education and support to women who have been diagnosed.”
Highlights of Year of Service:
- Traveled extensively on a national speaking tour advocating self-examination, early detection, and effective treatment of breast cancer
- Addressed social service agencies and organizations, local officials and lawmakers, to appropriate funding and create new ways of bringing resources together on behalf of breast cancer patients
- Met with governors, legislators, and members of Congress on the issue of supporting women with breast cancer with the goal of encouraging public officials to provide better information, resources and funding in the care and treatment of women battling this disease
- Worked with national advocacy organizations to make their resources better known at the local level
- Spoke on behalf of the research-based pharmaceutical community which, through clinical trials and experimental protocols, offers the best hope for better treatments and a better quality of life, until a breast cancer cure can be found
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