NEWS Twenty-five contestants pose at the Ms. Veteran America competition on Oct. 9.
BEST BOOTS
FORWARD Veterans pageant showcases the women behind the uniform
By Sara Schwartz
I
N OCTOBER, 25 WOMEN donned black satin dresses and combat boots and strutted across the stage at Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Sidney Harman Hall in Washington, D.C., for the fifth annual Ms. Veteran America competition. There’s no swimsuit category. Age doesn’t matter. Instead the four areas of competition are interview, talent, military history and advocacy. The event highlights the resilience and courage of inspiring female veterans by showcasing “The Woman Beyond the Uniform,” the official
tag line. The competition has been held for five years and proceeds go toward housing for homeless women veterans, who are currently the fastest growing homeless population in America. “Ms. Veteran America is a movement uniting female veterans as one voice, as one force, to advocate and fight for our sisters in arms that need support the most,” said former Air Force Capt. Molly Mae Potter, the winner of this year’s competition. The 2017 audition dates and locations will be announced in January. For audition requirements and more information, go to msveteranamerica.org.
North Carolina native Capt. Molly Mae Potter was crowned Ms. Veteran America. PHOTOS BY LEIGH VOGEL/GETTY IMAGES