A BreanaTURNER

As women, it is never our responsibility to fit inside the limited box that society wants to define for us.

I start my next chapter confident that this year of service lived up to that personal maxim in many ways. As Miss Virginia Volunteer, I was able to fill many boxes of my own choosing, averaging multiple appearances per week and growing the title’s social media following nearly 175 percent — all while successfully maintaining a full academic course load. The opportunities to advocate for women’s health through my platform RAISE were endless, but the highlights include delivering my signature talk, “Sis, throw your cape away,” to a Fortune 500 company, speaking on podcasts, and headlining both virtual and in-person conferences. This time in my life, which I coined "The Princess and the PhD," proved that having a purpose within my own life can have a tremendous impact on others.

Being Miss Virginia Volunteer is a beautiful blessing, but also a challenge in learning to balance many things. Despite the challenges, I craved this role because I understand so deeply that representation matters. I am eternally grateful to my elementary school piano teacher for encouraging me to watch the 2010 Miss America Pageant. If I had not seen Caressa Cameron on that stage, I might not be in this position today. It was only in 2009 when Disney released "The Princess and the Frog" that I first thought a woman who looked like me could be a real queen. I am humbled to say it’s my greatest honor to serve as a Princess Tiana to so many children these past 12 months; representation will always be relevant and important.

Thank you to my village for helping me fix my crown when it felt heavy. To my family, I am so appreciative of your unwavering love and support, not only this year, but throughout my life. I am a reflection of you. To the Miss Virginia Volunteer Board and Runk & Pratt team, thank you for making this a memorable year. I am proud of the precedent we have set together! Hannah, you are a phenomenal teen, and I cannot wait to see where you go in life. Catherine, my princess, thank you for being a part of my favorite memories from nationals. Our moment together on stage will stay close to my heart forever.

To the next Miss Virginia Volunteer and all the local titleholders, work to be a woman that the crown needs and not a woman who needs the crown. I promise you are always going to be more than enough…no matter where your life may take you.

Here’s to officially signing off as the first Black state titleholder crowned within the Miss Volunteer America Organization and the very first Miss Virginia Volunteer. Making HERstory within this organization has been an amazing chapter of my life, but I know my story will continue to get better from here. Miss Virginia Volunteer 2021, out!

All my love, Breana