In a historic moment for the Miss America pageant, active duty U.S. Air Force officer Madison Marsh was crowned Miss America 2024. The announcement took place at the annual contest held in Orlando, Florida. This marks the first time an active military member has won the internationally recognized event.
Madison Marsh, an Air Force Academy graduate of 2023, has not only served her country but also demonstrated her commitment to public service and leadership. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in public policy at Harvard Kennedy School, aiming to make significant contributions to policymaking and cancer research.
Marsh’s victory comes several years after the pageant faced criticism for being the “wokest” in its history, featuring diverse contestants including its first-ever transgender entrant. However, Marsh’s win is being celebrated as a significant step forward for the pageant, demonstrating that it values a wide range of experiences and backgrounds.
During the pageant, Marsh had an opportunity to express her views on serving in the military as a woman. In response to the question, “what is a woman,” she stated, “You know, serving to me – being a woman in the military is all about what you make of it. And for me that’s been being able to do both – that means representing my mom who I lost to pancreatic cancer and living through her life, because I get to live even though she doesn’t.”
Marsh’s journey to the crown was not just about personal achievement. She saw it as an opportunity to lead and inspire others. In an interview with Fox News before her win, she shared, “In the military, it’s an open space to really lead in the way that you want to lead — in and out of uniform. I felt like pageants, and specifically winning Miss Colorado, was a way to truly exemplify that and to set the tone to help make other people feel more comfortable finding what means most to them.”
The U.S. Air Force congratulated Marsh on her victory via Twitter, stating: “Congratulations to our very own #Airman, 2nd Lt. Madison Marsh, aka Miss Colorado — who was just crowned @MissAmerica 2024!” This recognition from the U.S. Air Force signifies the importance of Marsh’s accomplishment, not only for herself but also for the military community.
Marsh’s win sends a powerful message to young women everywhere that they can achieve anything they set their minds to. It underscores the importance of perseverance, dedication, and resilience, qualities that are embodied by this year’s Miss America.
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