Miss Humanity: A very different type of “beauty pageant”.

Not your average pageant, Miss Humanity Australia gives a voice to young women with a passion for humanitarian causes.

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The Australian finalists at Bondi. Hair by Hair Culture Bondi and Suigo, girls dressed by Pizzuto of Paddington

Bondi Beauty was exclusively invited to chat to the NSW girls competing for the prestigious title, announced this weekend.

Unlike most pageants which focus on glitz and glam, Miss Humanity Australia strips away the glitter, focusing instead on substance. Girls have to be 18-27, and have a cause they believe in. Makeup and evening gowns are a mere accessory to the heart of the contestants.

The International competition was founded in April 2003 in Bridgetown, Barbados with the “sole purpose to promote and raise awareness about humanitarian causes worldwide.”

It is here, in the country of origin, where the international finals will be held, where our own Miss Humanity Australia will compete for the title of Miss Humanity International.

Founder Lori-Rose McGinty gave Australia a voice in the international competition in 2012. She says, “Miss Humanity Australia is an innovative and holistic pageant that advocates humanitarian causes through raising funds and awareness, being role models, inspiring young women to participate in charitable initiatives and overall enriching the perception of beauty, spirit and compassion.”

Delegates enter via a recruitment process with detailed application forms and intensive interviews to find out what’s in the girl’s heart, what drives them and what inspires them, as opposed to how good they look on a catwalk.

To become Miss Humanity Australia, the judges look at three key areas: poise, communication and humanitarian endeavours.

“We want to inspire other young girls to get involved in charitable acts. We actually have what we call Beauty on a Mission where the girls empower others to say ‘this is what I’m doing, this is my cause,’ and we want you to do the same and stand up for what you believe in.” Lori-Rose says.

There is no single cause the organisation is affiliated with; instead each girl has the opportunity to support whichever charity or charities they like. There is no monetary prize for winning the title, instead you are provided with a platform to have your message heard.

“When last year’s winner Ashleigh Wheeldon, 19, came on board she did not have a public profile, I couldn’t find her on social media, when I Googled her I was redirected to another Ashleigh Wheeldon in the UK. Now if you Google ‘Ashleigh Wheeldon’ the first few results are all about her and her causes. She’s now gone on to be the ambassador for the cause she supports which is A21 Campaign Australia and the prevention of human trafficking.” Lori-Rose says.

To become Miss Humanity Australia, the judges look at three key areas: poise, communication and humanitarian endeavours.

“She will be an overall brand ambassador for Miss Humanity Australia and for charities Australia-wide. She needs to be someone that is well spoken, someone that does want to inspire someone else, and has that energy that they do inspire others through their passion their drive and their commitment,” says Lori-Rose.

The Miss Humanity Australia National Finals will be hosted by Totti Goldsmith. Judges include: Australia’s version of Mother Theresa, Moira Kelly AO, paraolympian and advocate for empowering women, Kelly Cartwright OAM and designer, Craig Braybrook.

You can get involved by visiting the website and voting for the People’s Choice Award and Most Photogenic, by becoming a sponsor of Miss Humanity Australia and by supporting the causes and encouraging others to take action.

The finals will be presented in Melbourne this weekend.

A special thank you to Hair Culture Bondi and Suigo products for keeping the girl’s hair pristine on windy Bondi beach. Thanks to Pizzuto of Paddington for dressing the girls.

By BB Intern Selma Husovic

Jump online and vote for one of the gorgeous finalists: www.misshumanityaustralia.com

 

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