CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Contestants from across the globe are in Charleston this week to compete in the Mrs. International Pageant.
Competitions were held last week for the Miss International and Miss Teen International Pageants. This week, 64 married woman, ages 21-56 will compete for the Mrs. International crown.
“The woman have come from the United Kingdom, China, Japan, all over the world. They’ve never even been to the U.S., so quite frankly to be able to come to Charleston — their minds are blow,” said Mary Richardson, executive director on Internationals Pageants.
Priscilla Pruitt, of Wyoming, is the reigning Mrs. International 2016.
“It’s not a typical beauty pageants. We’re world-changers,” she said on Wednesday’ “580 Live” heard on 580-WCHS, a MetroNews affiliate. Pruitt arrived in Charleston earlier this week.
Each contestant represents a platform she supports, Pruitt said. She works with the National Safe Haven Alliance, Safe Haven Baby Boxes and the Hope Box to prevent the abandonment of newborn babies.
“In the U.S., it’s almost quite frequent — almost one baby a day,” Pruitt said. “Babies are still being abandoned and so what we find is that these mothers fear that face-to-face interaction. The baby box just takes that away and gives them no name, no blame and no shame.”
Pruitt said she will continue her community service as the director of National Safe Haven Alliance in Wyoming.
The competition takes place Thursday and Friday at the state Culture Center.
Pruitt said she hopes the next winner will have a passion to serve the community. She said it’s not about winning the crown.
“It’s not about the prettiest, it’s not about the skinniest, the smartest or how much money you spent. It’s about your heart. What are you going to do with this crown because it’s great, but in the end, a crown is going to rust. Think of it as a sparkling microphone. What are you going to do with that voice and that platform?” she said.
Richardson said the pageant was held in Chicago, Illinois for years before moving to Jacksonville, Florida. The pageant signed a three year deal with the City of Charleston. She said even after contestants leave, the pageant continues to promote the city.
“Out new title holder — her photo will be taken. That photo is on the jumbo-tron in New York City and also Las Vegas. Under her name is “crowned in Charleston, WV,” Richardson said.
The Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau, along with the City of Charleston, are hosting the events.