As a first time beauty pageant contestant, Erin Ford of Guilderland is now the latest crowned winner of the Ms. American Beauty Pageant.
After winning the Ms. New York Beauty preliminaries in October, Ford became winner of her division at the Orlando finals on Friday, June 26. She was the only beginner is the competition.
Ford decided to enter the competition after the birth of her son Max, an event that inspired her to start crossing items off her bucket list.
“When I found out that I was having child at 30, I felt like I’ve accomplished so much already, but what else do I want to accomplish?” said Ford.
“I remember watching the Miss America pageant as a kid with Mom. Pageants were something on my bucket list so I said, ‘Let me do it now!’ At least then I can say that I tried it and went for it. I wasn’t expecting to win.”
But Ford did win the competition, and in doing so, she has inspired women from across the region to take risks and try new things at any stage in life. It’s an amazing feat when you consider the fact that the contagious message of risk-taking she has spread across the region was all started by a single woman who competed in one pageant.
“I’ve had a lot of people come up to me – young and old – people who you wouldn’t think would be interested in pageants, and they tell me that I’ve inspired them to do something new. I had no idea that [my competing] would have this kind of impact,” said Ford.
Though Ford expressed surprise at her win and her newfound celebrity, her win comes as no surprise to those who speak with her, as she is able to navigate even the most difficult question with ease – a skill that no doubt helped Ford during the interview portion of the competition.
When asked what she thought about the effect that pageants have on young girls, Ford explained, “There are a lot of misconceptions with pageants … But the essence of a pageant is presenting best of yourself — a presentation of being a woman, of someone people can look up to.”
Ford attributes her success largely to her performance during the interview and says she chose to compete in the American Beauty pageant for the emphasis it puts on the interview portion rather than on to the beauty portions. Forty percent of competitors scores came from their interview, where contestants were asked everything from their opinions on politics, health care, and war to love and marriage. The swimwear and evening gown competitions in the pageant accounted for 30 percent each.
Now that Ford has won the crown, she plans on using her position to do some good for the community. During her reign as Ms. New York Beauty, Ford coordinated a charity fashion show, which benefitted the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the Make a Wish Foundation. The March event was held at The Venue in Cohoes, a place she has also chosen for her upcoming wedding in October.
Next, as part of her platform focusing on women and children’s issues, she plans to work with the charity organization Dress for Success this summer. The organization helps disadvantaged women find a career by giving them the skills, attire and confidence they need to succeed.
Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore Jeffrion Aubry, Majority Leader Joseph D. Morelle and Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara of the New York State Assembly recently thanked Ford for her service to the community on June 9.
“I’m proud to represent the Capital Region and especially Guilderland, and I’m looking forward to working in the community,” said Ford.
