International Pageant Day

International Pageant Day seeks to celebrate the women around the world, encouraging them in their endeavors and acknowledging the work that they go through to compete – because pageants are about way more than just a pretty face!

History of International Pageant Day

Contests where women were judged to determine who was the most beautiful or compelling can be traced back for centuries, with some records of these activities coming into play through Jewish and Christian historical documents along with stories of Ancient Greece.

But the more modern versions of beauty pageants got their start in the late 19th century, with the earliest one recorded taking place in the state of Delaware.

By the 20th century, these pageants started popping up at beach resorts as a form of entertainment. The first major national pageant to take place in the US was the Miss America Pageant in 1921, originally functioning as a bit of a tourist stunt to get visitors to stay past Labor Day in Atlantic City.

Since that time, pageants have developed and evolved, not only providing opportunities for women to compete for prizes and scholarships but also developing into a sub-culture all its own.

From state and national contests, going all the way to international contests such as Miss World, Miss Universe, Miss International, and even Miss Earth, the supporters of pageants say that these events help girls and young women develop vital life skills and self-confidence.

How to Celebrate International Pageant Day

Check out a couple of ideas to get started with celebrating International Pageant Day:

Pamper a Pageant Participant

Women and girls who participate in pageants are often so dedicated that it’s hard to take time to rest. International Pageant Day might be a perfect time for the friends or family members of a pageant contestant to show some care for her.

Not because of how pretty or smart she is, but just because she is loved!

Watch Some Movies Based on Pageants

A fun way to get into the spirit of International Pageant Day might be to connect by watching some movies or shows that have been made around the topic.

• Dumplin’ (2018). The daughter of a former beauty queen signs up to her mom’s pageant – as an act of protest! Starring Jennifer Aniston and Danielle MacDonald.
• Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999). Denise Richards and Kirstin Dunst star along an all-star cast in this comedy about the lengths that the contestants of a small town beauty pageant will go to.
• Miss Congeniality (2000). This action comedy stars Sandra Bullock as an agent who has to go undercover as a contestant in a beauty pageant.
• Little Miss Sunshine (2006). Steve Carrell, Toni Collette, and Abigail Breslin bring this story to life where a family takes a road trip to make a little girl’s dream of entering a beauty pageant come true. 

Understand the Benefits of Pageants

Many people question the idea of women being judged based on their looks, poise, talent, and more. However, the women who participate in pageants often state that these contests are good for developing some excellent skills.

From confidence to self-discipline, from social connections to advocacy opportunities, many pageant contestants and winners have found this to be an excellent launching opportunity for their futures.