It seems intuitive that beauty pageants should be distinct from politics–that we should judge our next leaders by more than appearance. Yet, more and more, young people are using pageants as springboards into the world of politics. An article in New Statesman looks at this phenomenon:

It is becoming increasingly common for women in America to use beauty pageants as the springboard for a political career. Sarah Palin, the Republican vice-presidential nominee in 2008, blazed this trail (she famously came in third in the Miss Alaska pageant in 1984) but many are following in her footsteps. Miss Vermont 2010, Caroline Bright, lost an election for the state senate in 2012 by fewer than 500 votes. Miss Arkansas 1994, Beth Ann Rankin, nearly managed to unseat the then incumbent Democrat, Mike Ross, in Arkansas’s fourth congressional district in 2010. Heather French Henry, Miss America 2000, is being considered to challenge Senator Mitch McConnell for his Kentucky seat, which is thought to be vulnerable to challenge in November.

Granted, this record shows that pageantry is more than just a “pretty face,” but it’s not exactly the most introspective [1] atmosphere to foster political growth. Platforms aside, the rest of the competition centers on creating negative body images for the rest of the female population. What does that say about our political system? We are so focused on the way our politicians look that we often ignore their messages.

The pageant system didn’t intersect with politics at all until 1989, when the Miss America Organisation introduced the concept it calls “the platform”. Since then, contestants have been required to present a topic about which they care deeply; they are then judged on their passion and knowledge of it. If they win, they spend the year campaigning on that issue.

Is there any question as to whether pageantry and politics should intersect? Beverly Stoeltje, professor of anthropology and gender studies at Indiana University, believes it can be somewhat justified under our natural need for order and hierarchies.

[She] says that although American culture was founded on the rational principles of a republic, that left a yearning for something of the Old World. “We have these pageants, which crown these queens. In this culture, since we don’t have monarchs, we create them.”…What’s more, Stoeltje observes, pageants, like politics, tap in to a competitiveness that is innate in the American cultural psyche. “I would argue that the pageant is a space of contestation . . . Pageants’ role today is to reflect the advances of women in society, that women can be empowered – but to say that women should continue to be seductive, and to be governed by the powers that be, who are generally male.”

Others even argue that the intersection is beneficial for the contestants.

Hilary Levey Friedman, a Harvard socio­logist who studies beauty and competition, is writing a book about pageants’ role in American society. She argues that the changing nature of pageants is creating a new class of winners who will go into politics, “especially with the way the political system works these days.”

“Contestants and winners are developing particular skills that are transferable to the political arena,” Levey Friedman notes. “You can develop them elsewhere as well, but there’s an argument to be made that you can develop them more quickly and at an earlier age because you participate in Miss America.”

I can accept that it’s important to overcome fear of public speaking at a young age, important to advocate for social change, and important to develop people skills. What I cannot accept is that beauty pageants are the means to enter politics. Perhaps pageantry is a sort of diluted form of politics, but honestly, politics should not be pageantry.

[Featured image: Carolyn Bright, Miss Vermont 2010, who ran for Vermont Senate in 2012]

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by Emily Spangler, Progress Women

Mary Burke, Wisconsin

Mary Burke caught Progress Women’s eye right away: Burke has served as the popular bicycle company Trek’s vice president until 2004, has worked with the homeless, and has helped the Boys and Girls Club of Dane County. According to EMILY’s List, as Wisconsin’s commerce secretary, Mary helped create thousands of new jobs, promoted minority and women entrepreneurs, and has kept Wisconsinites safe by giving safety and building inspectors authority to shut down dangerous facilities across the state. Why should Wisconsin elect Mary Burke? Here’s a few reasons as to why:  Walker signed some of the country’s most radical anti-choice bills, including mandatory ultrasounds, a statewide, 19-week ban on abortions, and new restrictions that reduce the number of Wisconsin clinics providing any abortions to two. Wisconsin is ready for a major change, so let’s make history and elect Mary Burke as the Badger State’s first woman governor.

Eloise Gomez Reyes, California

Eloise Gomez Reyes is an attorney, community activist, and put herself through the University of Southern California and Loyola Law School, she has no problem with working hard. She also became the first Latina to open her own office in the Inland Empire – helping clients with everything from pensions and insurance to disability and Social Security and she helped found the Inland Empire Community Health Center and served as a Legal Aid volunteer for more than 25 years. Gomez Reyes is passionate about helping underserved families and fighting for the voiceless in her community. Her opponent is Congressman Gary Miller, a Congressman who touts his title of being California’s “most conservative member”. Gomez Reyes is the type of person we need in Congress. She will fight for those who need their voices to be heard, and will work hard to do so. Check out her website here!

Amanda Renteria, California

As a mom, a former high school teacher, and small business owner, Amanda Renteria wants to bring a unique voice to Washington to represent California’s 21st Congressional District. Renteria was the first-ever latina Senate chief of staff (Debbie Stabenow) and graduated with honors from Stanford University – the first Mexican-American from her small hometown to ever have been accepted. Running against Tea Party Congressman David Valadao will be quite the task, but with our support and help, we can help her win a top take-back district in 2014! Donate to Amanda Renteria here!

Martha Robertson, New York

Martha Robertson is a former teacher who became the first woman and the first Democrat from her district to be elected to the Tompkins County Legislature, where she forged a reputation for consensus-building and compromise in the interest of the county’s neighborhoods, small businesses and green spaces. Robertson has put an emphasis on education and the economy in her race. She is committed to giving back and serving her community. Let’s help her get elected.  Check out her website here.

This article is crossposted with permission of Progress Women, a Missouri-based site promoting progressive politics, feminism and empowering women to get involved.

Featured image credit: Womeninpoliticsmedia.com

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