Charlotte Benitz

Our alumni records indicate you were at the University of Alberta enrolled in the Honours Science program. Can you give us an update on your studies as you complete the final year of your undergraduate program this winter?

I did my first two years in the Honours Integrative Physiology program at the University of Alberta, however, during this time I was able to take some Earth and Atmospheric Science courses which really inspired me. I changed my degree in my third year to a general science Earth and Atmospheric Sciences major. Being in general science gave me more freedom to explore my interests, take electives I was intrigued in, and take more diverse science courses. I’ve been able to include many zoology and paleontology classes into my degree which I have loved. Upon graduation I will have a BSc Earth and Atmospheric Sciences with a Biological Sciences minor.

We saw that you were named ‘Miss Queen Alberta 2022-2023’, congratulations! Can you tell us about that?

I have admired pageant titleholders my entire life, because of the impact and reach they are able to have for their causes. I had been really interested in competing and when I found Personality Pageant Canada, it felt like fate! Going into my first pageant I put my whole heart into it and was so excited to win the title of Miss Queen Alberta 2022-2023. Being a part of this pageant system and a titleholder has presented me with so many opportunities already, especially to advocate for my platform of women’s health and destigmatizing menstruation. I am really excited to be competing for the national title in August, for an opportunity to go on to compete internationally.

Tell us about your passion for promoting women’s health and destigmatizing menstruation.

I have battled with chronic migraines and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder for almost my entire life and it was an incredibly isolating and difficult experience. I set out to become the woman I wanted to look up to at fifteen. I have been able to get involved in changing women’s health through my board position with the Women’s Health Coalition of Alberta and my VP Events position with the Interdisciplinary Women’s Health Association.

In addition to this, the reach I have with a regional title inspired me to create and fund my passion project, ‘Charlotte’s Women’s Health Hub’. CWHH is a blog-style platform where I share my own health journey, other women’s experiences, resources, and my own custom self-improvement/care worksheets. CWHH launched at the end of April 2023 and I was so excited to bring it to life.

Can you give any future UofA students some hot tips about university life at UofA and suggest any ‘must-visit’ spots in Edmonton?

Edmonton is such a fantastic place. Though the weather is chilly (buy the warmest coat you can find - it’s worth it!), the people and culture here are incredible. My favorite UofA hotspot is the Rutherford library ‘Harry Potter Room’, which really does make you feel like you’re studying at Hogwarts! As well as Remedy Café, which has the best Chai lattes I’ve ever had, we’re lucky enough to have three on campus! UofA loves their students and truly has so many opportunities for us. Look into student groups, internships and study abroad opportunities. I’ll be studying in Lille, France, this summer where I’ll be taking two classes, French and a class on sustainable cities!

What are your plans after university/undergrad?

After graduating from this degree next winter, I won’t be done with school! I am planning to apply for nursing school. I love Earth Science, but I’ve also discovered my passion for health. I realized

I want to be outside of a laboratory, interacting face-to-face with people that I can help. I will also continue to compete in pageants. Pageantry has inspired me and opened up doors I am so thankful for. I am hoping to compete for the ‘Miss Universe Canada’ title down the road, and ultimately vye for ‘Miss Universe’! Your ultimate career goal?

Ultimately I would like to be a nurse practitioner for women’s health. In my ‘dream life’ I can see myself having my own women run practice with a variety of specialties. I hope to grow ‘Charlotte’s Women’s Health Hub’ to an international platform impacting women worldwide, providing resources and taking the isolation out of chronic pain due to menstruation.

Do you have any advice for our grads who are about to enter post-secondary?

Be open to all experiences. I have always been a planner, and I had a clear plan of what my degree would look like and what my academic journey would entail. It has changed over and over throughout my studies and I am so grateful for that! I have been able to do so many interesting things I never planned, like my pageantry, student group involvement and my upcoming study-abroad experience. You will change and grow so much throughout these years that it’s ok for your plans and passions to change. I promise you will be ok!

Thank you so much, Charlotte. We think you are well on your way to accomplishing your goal of being the kind of woman you would want your 15-year-old self to look up to.