Becky McCray over at Small Biz Survival opens up a brag basket every week. It’s really fun to read about the success of others and I’ve learned about some interesting resources for small business there, as well. I was totally inspired to throw my offering into the Brag Basket on December 18th. And here is what I said:

I am in my fourth year as the director of the Mrs. Oklahoma International Pageant. I know that a lot of people laugh at pageants but I am so proud of my titleholders that I’d just like to brag here a little.

Our contestants, who are married, must have a community service platform. At the pageant, fully 50% of their score is based upon interviews regarding this platform. For this reason, we encourage them to enter early and work their local title. By this I mean, get out there, put their energy and their voice to their chosen platform and really get to know it. This helps them in two ways. The first, obviously, is that it will fulfill them like nothing else. We all know how great it feels to help others. Secondly, though, this community interaction helps them to become more familiar with their chosen cause and results in a better interview with the judges at the pageant.

The result for me is that I am so proud I could burst. I have amazing women doing incredible things all over the state of Oklahoma! From post partum depression, to sexual child abuse, to pancreatic cancer awareness and everything in between, our ladies are out there raising awareness, raising funds, and making our state a better place.

I thank you for letting me brag. I always feel that if more people understood our mission, they would be just as proud of these ladies as I am!

Cool, eh? Just like that I got to say out loud (well in print which is almost as good) what directing the Mrs. Oklahoma International Pageant means to me and how it fulfills me. I love, love, love these ladies, their passion and their hearts. I am blessed.