On Sunday night, 39 women flocked to the Ritz Carlton in Pentagon City, Virginia, to compete in a beauty and talent contest. They had come from all corners of the country toting eyelash curlers and jewel-toned ball gowns and heels so sharp they could double as weapons.
The women, who ranged in age from 21 to 89, were competing for the inaugural crown of Ms. Veteran America, a program showcasing the beauty of military women beyond the confines of their uniforms.
Created by Army veteran Jaspen Boothe, the competition required women to raise money and awareness for Final Salute, an organization Boothe founded to fight homelessness among female vets. But for the contestants, the event was both a platform to talk about service and a chance to celebrate a different side of womanhood.They competed in four categories — eveningwear, talent, interview, and military history — and relished the opportunity to squeeze on a pair of platforms and dance across the stage to warrior-women anthems by Destiny’s Child and Gretchen Wilson. Backstage looked like a glittery war room: feathers, guitars, nipple covers, and camouflage luggage were strewn across the hotel carpet.
As the evening wound down, the final ten contestants huddled backstage touching up their makeup, talking CPR, and tallying which branch had the highest representation at the event (Air Force, by a landslide), when 31-year-old Amanda Thompson burst through the doors looking pallid and unwell.
“I need help,” she murmured. Thompson was experiencing a typical pageant problem: Her corset was too tight. Without hesitation, three women flew to her rescue and began barking out orders.
“Breathe!” they commanded. “Just relax and exhale!” Two more women grabbed water bottles while the team deftly unraveled Thompson’s dress without sacrificing a single silver jewel.
Seconds later, she was free.
“Boy,” cracked Gladys Hughes, the 89-year-old contestant from Picayune, Mississippi. “Imagine if this was a room full of civilians.”
And just like that, they were soldiers again.
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Serena Washington, 32, National Guard vet from National Harbor, MD (teal dress)Tell me about wearing a uniform every day.
To serve in the m... Serena Washington, 32, National Guard vet from National Harbor, MD (teal dress)Tell me about wearing a uniform every day.
To serve in the military and put on a uniform every day, you have to know who you are underneath it. I was the first female apache pilot in the Florida National Guard. I maintained my fitness and learned that the way I wore the uniform really mattered — it’s important to look sharp and polished and to feel honored to wear it. Photo: Melissa Golden/@ Melissa Golden 2012
Paige Skinner, 21, active duty at Tyndall Air Force Base in FL (center)Tell me about what it's like to wear a uniform every day, Paige.
We have... Paige Skinner, 21, active duty at Tyndall Air Force Base in FL (center)Tell me about what it's like to wear a uniform every day, Paige.
We have to blend in with the men. We wear boots, we don’t style our hair or makeup, and that’s the point. I get that. At the end of the day, it doesn’t bother me, except maybe at the military balls. We aren’t allowed to dress up, but all the men’s wives and girlfriends come in gowns. Then, yes, you get a little jealous.
Photo: Melissa Golden/@ Melissa Golden 2012
Paige Skinner, 21, active duty at Tyndall Air Force Base in FLHow did you pick your dress?
I went with my mom and I put it on and all the sequi... Paige Skinner, 21, active duty at Tyndall Air Force Base in FLHow did you pick your dress?
I went with my mom and I put it on and all the sequins started catching the light, and the search was over. Blue was a little out of the ordinary for me. I’m the kind of girl that walks into a store and the only dresses I try on are black. Photo: Melissa Golden/@ Melissa Golden 2012
Denyse Gordon, 39, U.S. Air Force veteran from Ashburn, VASo tell me about your getup?
This is a World War II Wasps uniform and the Wasps, they... Denyse Gordon, 39, U.S. Air Force veteran from Ashburn, VASo tell me about your getup?
This is a World War II Wasps uniform and the Wasps, they were some bad chicks back in the forties.
What's the talent you're preparing to do?
I’m doing a jazz dance to Benny Goodman’s “Sing, Sing, Sing."
Photo: Melissa Golden/@ Melissa Golden 2012
Amanda Thompson, 31, Air Force psychotherapist from Toledo, OHDoes this dress reflect your personal style?
Go big or go home is my motto, so I ... Amanda Thompson, 31, Air Force psychotherapist from Toledo, OHDoes this dress reflect your personal style?
Go big or go home is my motto, so I had to do the big hair, the big jewels, and the big dress. You don’t get to do stuff like this very often, especially being in the military. To be glamorous for an evening is like the highlight of my life. The uniforms don’t allow for femininity; as a girl, you have to just get over that. You don’t want the way you look to get in the way of your job, so you de-prioritize it quickly. Photo: Melissa Golden/@ Melissa Golden 2012
Silvia Herrera, 29, National Guard veteran and student in Mesa, AZWhat's the biggest misconception about women who serve?
A lot of people say t... Silvia Herrera, 29, National Guard veteran and student in Mesa, AZWhat's the biggest misconception about women who serve?
A lot of people say that women soldiers are tomboys, or that we’re just one of the guys. And still others think girls can’t handle doing what the guys do. It’s a lose-lose sometimes, but that’s why it’s so important for us to know who we are. We have to be ourselves as women and prove we’re still tough. The biggest misconception is that you can’t be both. Photo: Melissa Golden/@ Melissa Golden 2012
Gladys Hughes, 89, WWII Coast Guard veteranYou were Ms. Mississippi Senior America? I was, in 2003. And my daughter was Ms. Mississippi Senior A... Gladys Hughes, 89, WWII Coast Guard veteranYou were Ms. Mississippi Senior America? I was, in 2003. And my daughter was Ms. Mississippi Senior America last year. Runs in the family.
What's your military history? I enlisted in the service in 1944 in Omaha, Nebraska, in the Coast Guard SPAR. I was only in for fourteen months when the war ended. They dropped the atom bomb the day after I got married, actually, so my husband had enough points that he didn’t have to go to Japan. He came home from England on D-Day. After the military, I went back to school on the G.I. Bill and became a high school speech and drama teacher for 30 years. Now I’m retired and live on a little lake in Mississippi and do local theater. Photo: Melissa Golden/@ Melissa Golden 2012
Tyra Everett, 34, Air Force Reserve and student from Bronx, NYTell me about your personal style.
I’m a glam girl. I’m a glam girl all the way. ... Tyra Everett, 34, Air Force Reserve and student from Bronx, NYTell me about your personal style.
I’m a glam girl. I’m a glam girl all the way. I love Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn, and have pictures of them hanging everywhere. For women like me who don’t think the military is for them, I say, “Hey, when I take off this uniform, honey, I’m in heels. When I take off this uniform, I’m at Sephora, I’m at the MAC counter, I get my hair done every week.” Photo: Melissa Golden/@ Melissa Golden 2012
Photo: Melissa Golden/@ Melissa Golden 2012
Photo: Melissa Golden/@ Melissa Golden 2012
Adrienne Espinosa, 28, Navy Hospital Corpsman in Killeen, TXEveryone's talking about your dress tonight. Is there a story behind it?
I went onl... Adrienne Espinosa, 28, Navy Hospital Corpsman in Killeen, TXEveryone's talking about your dress tonight. Is there a story behind it?
I went online and started by Googling mermaid dresses. A bunch of options came up, of course, but this one designer, Tiffany Designs, kept catching my eye, and when I found this dress, I had to have it. I called all of the stores within a 100-mile radius and only one store in Houston had it in a size 8, so I had to get it tailored down. I drove three hours and spent tons of money on this bad boy, but it was worth it. It speaks to my figure and hugs in all the right places. Photo: Melissa Golden/@ Melissa Golden 2012
Kat Pettaway, 45, Navy veteran and Walter Reed employee (left)How do you stay feminine in uniform?
Well, when I used to wear the uniforms, I wo... Kat Pettaway, 45, Navy veteran and Walter Reed employee (left)How do you stay feminine in uniform?
Well, when I used to wear the uniforms, I would wear lingerie underneath. It was my little secret way to feel sexy and beautiful underneath but not to sacrifice the way people perceived me on the outside. You set your style for the team on the outside, and for yourself on the inside.
Photo: Melissa Golden/@ Melissa Golden 2012
Photo: Melissa Golden/@ Melissa Golden 2012
Photo: Melissa Golden/@ Melissa Golden 2012
Army Lt. Col. Kelly Brown (attendee)Photo: Melissa Golden/@ Melissa Golden 2012
Photo: Melissa Golden/@ Melissa Golden 2012
Heidi Amato, 42, Navy veteran from San Diego, CA (black dress) Before this pageant, when I’d gone to a ball or come to an event in a skirt, peopl... Heidi Amato, 42, Navy veteran from San Diego, CA (black dress) Before this pageant, when I’d gone to a ball or come to an event in a skirt, people would look at me like, “Wow, you’re a girl!” So this event is a chance for me to go all out. I’ve never in my 40 years gone all out with modeling and makeup before. I’ve never done anything like this. Photo: Melissa Golden/@ Melissa Golden 2012
Gladys Hughes (right)What about this pageant appealed to you, Gladys?
I seeing all these young girls who are doing now what I, once upon a time... Gladys Hughes (right)What about this pageant appealed to you, Gladys?
I seeing all these young girls who are doing now what I, once upon a time, was also inclined to do. And they do so much more. The technology today they have to maneuver and the pressure on their jobs is more than I can even imagine. I feel proud to know them. Photo: Melissa Golden/@ Melissa Golden 2012
Denyse Gordon, crowned Ms. Veteran America 2012How will you reconcile being a soldier and a beauty queen?
I don’t have to reconcile anything. I... Denyse Gordon, crowned Ms. Veteran America 2012How will you reconcile being a soldier and a beauty queen?
I don’t have to reconcile anything. I look at women from Gladys's time back in the 1940s and they were always so put together, looking sharp and beautiful. They never lost sight of their womanhood. It’s unfair to assume that because we are military, we’re going to lose such a big part of who we are. Photo: Melissa Golden/@ Melissa Golden 2012
Gladys Hughes, Ms. Veteran America 2012 second runner-upPhoto: Melissa Golden/@ Melissa Golden 2012
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