Finding My Voice: The Journey to the Mrs. Oregon America Stage

For too long, I lived inside a box. It was one of those metaphorical, too-small-for-my-soul kind of boxes. I tucked my big dreams, my fiery personality, and my unapologetic love of glitter into a space that never fit. I tried to be the person I thought I had to be. And in the darkest years of my life, trapped in a relationship that slowly stripped me of my identity; I lost the most valuable thing I had: my voice.

I became a shadow of the woman I used to be. A survivor in every sense, but not truly living. My confidence, my passions, my voice, they all faded under the weight of survival. And for a while, I thought that was it. That this muted version of me was the best I could hope for.

But a spark was still there, buried deep. Over these past few years, I’ve done the hard work of rediscovering, reigniting, and reclaiming it, not just for me, but for my children. As I slowly tore down the walls that confined me, I began to shine again, finding my voice in a way that’s stronger, bolder, and more unshakably me than ever before. And let me tell you, after years of silence, it feels incredible to be heard again.

And now here I am, competing for Mrs. Oregon America, an opportunity I once only dreamed of. Let’s be real, when people hear the word “pageant,” a lot of assumptions come to mind. It’s all about the crowns and the glitter, right? Wrong. Pageantry isn’t for the faint-hearted. It’s not just about showing up in a sash and high heels (although I’ll admit, I do love those sparkly shoes). It’s about strength. It’s about heart. It’s about the courage to stand in front of the world and say, Here I am. Listen up!

For me, this journey is so much bigger than a crown or a sash. It’s about using this platform to continue the work that has always been in my soul. Service. Helping others. I’ve spent most of my life doing this, whether through non-profit leadership, healthcare advocacy, or community outreach. I’m still that woman who’s all about giving back, but now I have a stage where my voice, and the voices of those I advocate for, can be amplified louder than ever.

And if I get to wear some sequins along the way, well, that’s just a bonus.

So, here’s my challenge to you: The next time you see a woman who’s quiet, keeping to herself, or holding back, take a moment to reflect. She may not be shy. She might be fighting battles you can’t even imagine, and she’s just waiting for her moment to rise. And when she does, when she steps into her power and raises her voice, support her. Because that kind of courage deserves celebration, not judgment.

I know what it’s like to rise from the ashes, to reclaim the parts of myself that were lost. My journey with pageants started as a little girl, full of love for service, sparkles, and spotlights. Now, as an adult, I’m still all about that community service, but on a whole different scale. From co-founding the first Pride organization in Anacortes, Washington, to working with military families, I’ve always been a woman with a mission.

My calling has always been to help others, whether it’s at-risk youth, families in need, or those battling addiction. Nearly two decades of human services work have shaped who I am. I’ve spent years making sure people have access to what they need, building communities, and empowering those who feel invisible. Competing for Mrs. Oregon America is just the next evolution of that same work. Through this platform, I’ll be raising awareness about an issue that’s deeply personal to me.

You see, I know firsthand what it’s like to feel isolated, without resources or support. I spent years below the poverty line as the sole provider for my children, struggling to make ends meet in a world where help felt out of reach. That experience changed me. It gave me the fire to ensure that no one else ever feels that alone or that helpless. No matter where you are in life, you deserve a community that lifts you up. And that’s the message I’m shouting from the rooftops—or at least, from this blog post.

So here I am. A mother. A wife. A survivor. A woman who found her voice after years of silence. And now, I’m using that voice to lift others up. Mrs. Oregon America isn’t just a shallow contest to compete for a title, it’s a platform to shine a spotlight on the power of resilience, the strength of community, and the belief that, together, we can rise.

Watch out, world—this woman has found her voice. And I’m just getting started.