A mother may not have taken home the Miss Universe crown, but motherhood still took center stage at the international pageant.
Having participated in a state-level Miss Universe pageant myself, I understand the strength, poise, and grit required to participate. It is an experience that shapes you into a role model for other women.
Fourteen mothers vied for the Miss Universe crown, with five of them advancing to the semifinals and one of them making it all the way to the Top 5. In their glittering gowns and swimsuits, they confidently graced the stage, showcasing not only their physical beauty but also their intellect and passion for empowering women, especially mothers.
However, with all these mothers participating, there seemed to be a hidden pro-life message. These women show that motherhood can inspire—not limit—your dreams.
In the United States alone, a survey from the Charlotte Lozier Institute found that around 96% of women decided to choose to get abortions for “elective and unspecified reasons,” which usually are abortions unrelated to medical issues, as well as rape and incest. Sometimes, these “elective and unspecified reasons” include career aspirations and educational pursuits. Many celebrities have also spoken out about having abortions because they were worried about their careers.
Having participated in the Miss Georgia USA pageant—the preliminary competition to Miss USA and Miss Universe, I am familiar with the difficulties of juggling personal ambitions, service opportunities, career goals, and family obligations. I also wanted to send a message by wearing jewelry from the pro-life company Culture of Life 1972 to show the world that having children does not hold you back, and that you do not need to end the life of an innocent human being to succeed in life.
My experience juggling a career in journalism and public policy while raising a toddler during my husband's deployment for the United States Army was incredibly challenging. Starting my journey in the world’s most well-known pageant system during his deployment showed me the incredible strength and resilience that mothers have—it is a superpower that shapes us into the women we are meant to be.
Miss Universe Venezuela, Ileana Márquez Pedroza, who placed in the Top 5, proved that being a mother is a superpower. She shared how becoming a mother at a young age changed her as a person by having to deal with a society where “she did not fit its standards.” Márquez Pedroza then said she “matured, studied, worked and moved on” and explained how her daughter is the “most important engine to continue growing as a person and as a professional.”
While abortion is illegal in Venezuela with some exceptions, her child still did not stop her from having her career and chasing her dreams. She is an educator, television host, model, and she is Miss Universe Venezuela.
This victory for mothers feels especially significant given the journey it took to get to where Miss Universe is today. Until 2022, mothers, married women, and women of all ages were excluded from participating in Miss Universe. It was only in 2023 that the organization allowed mothers to participate, and in 2024, it expanded eligibility to women of all ages.
Mothers in pageantry face unique challenges—late-night training sessions, balancing motherhood and family, career, and societal expectations. Yet, we persevere because we know that our experiences, including the gift of motherhood, shape us into resilient, capable women who can inspire others.
These mothers who have won their national competitions have shown a new generation of women that it is possible to pursue both motherhood and their dreams. With society telling women to have abortions or to not have children, these mothers have proven women can have children and be successful.
These women just participating in Miss Universe and making it far in the competition is a victory for every mother who has ever been told that she was incapable, that she would not succeed, and that she should not even try. It is a testament to the power of celebrating motherhood and proving that we can do it all—with grace, strength, and purpose.
Motherhood enhances your dreams—it does not stop them.
Frances Floresca is a freelance policy analyst and reporter who has been featured in the Washington Examiner, the Daily Signal, and the Daily Wire. She has also appeared as a guest on Fox News Radio, One America News Network, and Real America's Voice. Frances is also a former participant in the Miss Georgia USA pageant—a preliminary competition to Miss USA and Miss Universe.