As a Policy Associate for the Global Network, my days are usually filled with politicians, suits, memos and briefings–hardly the stuff of glitz and glamour. So when I was tasked Wednesday with training a handful of Miss Universe Contestants on neglected tropical diseases, I took the train up to New York City with great curiosity and admitted skepticism. Coming from the world of DC realpolitik, I had my doubts that the Misses could become articulate Global Network spokeswomen ahead of our cocktail reception less than 12 hours later.
Thankfully, the women shattered my cynicism and quickly engaged enthusiastically in learning about these diseases, their treatments, and how they could personally get involved. Although each woman’s background was different, they were alike in their beauty and, more importantly, in their desire to give back to their countries and to make a difference. My ‘trainees’ included:
- Larissa Costa, Brazil–Miss Brazil 2009 (who graciously braved a language barrier AND a broken toe to headline our event)
- Nayla Micherif, Brazil–Miss Brazil 1997, Current National Director
- Justine Pasek, Panama–Miss Universe 2002
- Crystle Stewart, Texas–Miss USA 2008
- Amelia Vega, Dominican Republic–Miss Universe 2003
Justine Pasek, Amelia Vega, Kari Stoever (GN), Crystle Stewart, Paula Shugart (MUO), Stormi Henley, Kristen Dalton, Larissa Costa, Nayla Micherif, Natalia Anderle, Erin Hohlfelder (GN). Photograph by Evan Wilder
» Read more: Behind the Scenes with the Beauty Queens
