Platform

Miss Wisconsin 2011 Raeanna Johnson

My platform is “Empowering Women: Mind, Body and Soul.” In April 2011 I established Empowering Women, Inc., a non-profit organization which awards scholarship dollars to young women in the La Crosse area and promotes physical/mental health and volunteerism. Applicants are asked to submit an essay answering a specified question related to the empowerment of women. Last year a $500 scholarship was awarded to a Logan High School graduate.  A winter themed wine tasting fundraiser for the organization was held this January. Enough funds were raised for a $750 scholarship that will be awarded to a graduating high school girl this spring. I have big goals for the organization and I am looking forward to expanding the scholarship awards and dollar amounts awarded each year. For information about how to donate to the scholarship fund, application/eligibility requirements, or opportunities for involvement, please e-mail empowerwomenforlife@gmail.com. Empowering Women is also on Facebook.com.

Aside from my non-profit work, I also strive to be a mentor for young women. It is imperative for young women to know the many opportunities they have and to find the motivation and passion to pursue them. Miss America 2008, Kirsten Haglund pointed out perfectly that we are so blessed as young women to live in a country that allows us to speak publicly, get an education, and build a career. It is an opportunity we need to take full advantage of. I was told by one of my own mentors that in life it is important to be an advocate for yourself. I am the woman I am today because I believe in my education, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, personal faith and community service.  I hope to encourage others to feel the same.

When I first began participating in the Miss America Organization, my platform was “Drug Use Prevention and Awareness.” After secretly struggling with a methamphetamine addiction for three months my brother Tyler tragically ended his life. It was my mission with this platform to reach as many people as I could by sharing Tyler’s story and stressing how his decisions affected our family. I am still a huge advocate for living a healthy lifestyle free of substance abuse, but after three years of diligently promoting this platform I needed to redirect. I am still inspired to speak about and discuss this topic as well as the topics of depression, anxiety and suicide. I received positive responses to my presentations about Tyler and was empowered by the realization that I can make a difference. I attribute much of my success in both platforms to the Miss Wisconsin and Miss America Organizations. The crown is beautiful, but for me it has been most beneficial in making a difference.

 
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