SPONSORED POST
Have you heard the one about beauty queens putting Vaseline on their teeth to force them into smiling? Don't laugh! It's a true beauty fact, and one you might want to keep in your back pocket next time you go to a family wedding where you know everyone will be asking you when you'll be next.
Jokes aside, there's a certain perception that some people have of beauty pageants: perma-smiles (that'll be the Vaseline), well-practiced royal waves and confused answers to simple questions. The idea of women parading around in their swimsuits irks people when women are much more than eye-candy: we are smart, talented and accomplished.
Look at Maria Walsh. The nation fell in love with her down-to-earth personality and her interesting life story and even though she is, in the words of Joe Dolan, a good lookin' woman, it was her inner beauty that really shone through. These days, could it be that a pretty face is only one side of the sparkly beauty pageant coin?
Are the women who enter pageants these days women who want to spread a message - that it's ok to be happy with your appearance and to have brains, to really care about important issues and to actually be nice? Could entering a competition like this be beneficial, to the entrant herself and, potentially, for a good cause?
This year, for the first time ever, Ireland will be sending a representative to Miss Earth, an annual international beauty pageant that promotes environmental awareness. Taking place at a casting call in Dundrum on September 26th (see more information on the Miss Earth Ireland Facebook page here), the chosen Miss Earth Ireland will have the opportunity to travel to Vienna for the Miss Earth finals for three whole weeks.
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Distinguishing it from other pageants, the winner of Miss Earth will promote a good cause through her role as the spokesperson for the Miss Earth Foundation, the United Nations Environment Programme and other environmental organisations.
Miss Earth will dedicate a full year travelling the world drawing much needed attention to the environment and other global issues through school tours, tree planting activities, street campaigns, coastal clean ups, speaking engagements, shopping mall tours, media guesting, eco-fashion shows, and other environmental activities. As the environment is a subject close to many Irish hearts - Miss Earth Ireland may just be the woman to do it!
No matter what your opinion is on beauty pageants, this could be a lovely chance for someone who is passionate about the environment and who would love to spend a year traveling the globe putting focus on green issues.
If you would like to enter, or you think someone you know would like the opportunity, the casting call is on September 26 in Dundrum where Miss Earth Ireland will be chosen.
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The Miss Earth Ireland Organisers are Wear the Crown who will provide full training and support. Not only will Miss Earth Ireland win a glitzy crown, she will receive prizes from the sponsors and her very own Wikipedia page. See the Wear the Crown website for more information on how to enter.
