Amazon recommendation: The Art of Being Your Beautiful Self (paid link)
On July 22, Rachel Marks was crowned Mrs. International 2023 at the MeadowView Conference Resort and Convention Center, in Kingsport, Tennessee. Representing her home state of Illinois, Rachel competed with other accomplished, married women from across the US and from around the world. Competing in interview, fitness wear, and evening gown, the International Pageant system continues to celebrate the accomplishments of today’s married woman, while keeping with the tradition of marriage and family.
2003 - Twenty Years Ago
In September 2003, the former Mrs. Nevada International, Michelle Fryatt, was been named Mrs. International 2003 and used her platform to raise public awareness of infertility.
A Summerlin resident, Fryatt was selected from among 52 contestants from the U.S. and around the world competing in the 18th Annual Mrs. International pageant that showcases married women and their accomplishments. Fryatt was crowned recently at the Mrs. International Pageant hosted by television celebrity Bob Eubanks at the Louise Mandrell Theater in Tennessee's Great Smokey Mountains.
"My husband Edward and I have experienced first-hand infertility's devastation and life-altering impact," Fryatt said. "As Mrs. International, I am dedicating my year of service to raising awareness of the need for education, advocacy and support for infertility, a disease that afflicts roughly one in every six American couples annually."
"Michelle's perseverance in the face of adversity, commitment to increasing infertility awareness and education, and helping others are truly inspiring," said Mary Richardson, Executive Director of Mrs. International. "Her accomplishments and commitment embody the spirit of the Mrs. International Pageant."
Fryatt is a national spokesperson for RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, which is the oldest and largest patient organization representing the consumer voice of men and women experiencing infertility. She also serves as a Crisis Pregnancy Peer Counselor for the Women's Medical Resource Center of Southern Nevada and is the co-leader of "Hearts Like Hannah," a local infertility and adoption support ministry. Fryatt is a former Bank of America vice president and former auditor for PricewaterhouseCoopers. A certified public accountant, she earned her Bachelors degree from the University of Oklahoma.
"Infertility is a national health crisis and infertile couples need education and support," Fryatt added. "Only through knowledge can they be equipped emotionally and physically to conquer this disease."
Pageant contestants are evaluated in three categories -- interview, evening gown and fitness -- with the interview category being the most important and accounting for the largest percentage of participants' scores.
Headquartered in Roanoke, Virginia, the Mrs. International Pageant was founded in 1985 to promote the successes of married women aged 21 to 56. The Mrs. International system has been developed to promote today's married women, their accomplishments, and commitment to family and marriage. Around the world women are finding this system to be the opportunity to work with their husband and family to become positive role models. Being the premiere pageant for married women has given Mrs. International a chance to open doors for married women around the world.