Georgette Williams, left, won the Miss Bold Beautiful Woman Pageant. She also won the talent and evening gown portions.
Larshell Green/The Lion’s Roar

Georgette Williams won the second annual Miss Bold Beautiful Woman Pageant put on by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

“It feels very great,” said Williams, a sophomore accounting major. “I feel that I have now set a positive view of being a bold beautiful woman. It was nice getting to know all of the contestants. We actually got to become friends and it was a great experience.  It wasn’t like a competition. It was actually just being fun and finding your inner confidence.”

Rayven Watson, a sophomore English education major who placed second, feels the message of this pageant is important.

“I loved the overall message of the pageant: to celebrate women with curves,” said Watson. “I would say the most challenging part would have been time because we didn’t have that much time to get ready, but it didn’t really take away from the pageant at all.”

This was Williams’ second year competing in the BBW Pageant.

“My first year I was a freshman, so I didn’t know anybody or anything,” said Williams. “Coming in for a second time, I felt more confident. I actually found myself, so I was able to really show my personality on the stage.”

Rona Page, a junior social work major who placed third, enjoyed making friends in the pageant.

“It was actually a great experience. I got to build my confidence even more,” said Page. “What I liked most about the pageant was the friends I gained from it.”

Watson feels the pageant is a good way to build confidence.

“This pageant helped to build confidence and to let every girl know that they are beautiful no matter what shape or size they are,” said Watson. “Events like this are important because it helps people to build their self-esteem, and it also helps other people to see the beauty in people that are plus size.”

Although the pageant was difficult, Watson is grateful to have participated.

“It was stressful but worth it,” said Watson. “This is one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. I got the opportunity to meet a lot of fantastic women and some lifelong friends.”

Williams hopes to inspire more girls to participate in the pageant in the future.

“There are some people that don’t have the confidence,” said Williams. “So, just being able to show them that this is the second annual competition, it gives them the confidence to go up there and say, ‘Hey, I wanna go up there. I wanna have fun. I may not win but I still want to have fun.’”

Page found the most challenging part to be the talent portion where she recited an original poem.

“I would have to say the most challenging was getting up here and saying my talent in front of everybody,” said Page. “I think it’s important for girls to participate in it to build your confidence, especially those who feel that they don’t have any or they wanna build their confidence.”

Williams enjoyed meeting and getting to know many different people throughout the pageant.

“Just getting to know the people,” said Williams. “Even though it was only a few of us, you know you started a great bond. Getting to know the Eboard of NAACP, just being able to do something on campus. That’s the great part about it.”

Williams believes the pageant allowed her to show her true self.

“The most challenging part was walking in heels and wearing contacts too,” said Williams. “I learned that no matter what you go through or what you look like you can always get on a stage and show your true self.”

Rayven Watson, right, placed second in the overall as well as first in the personal interview and fundraiser portions.
Larshell Green/The Lion’s Roar