In a time of rapid change for America and, in particular, young Americans, Miss America has a vital new role to play as a key representative and advocate of the ideals and ideas that forge America�s future.
In 1989, the Miss America Organization instituted the Platform Program to facilitate this new role. The Platform Program requires each individual who competes for Miss America, and ultimately each woman who holds the Miss America title, to choose an issue relevant to society that mandates the public�s attention and a requisite call to action. Since that time, Miss Americas have concentrated on the most significant concerns facing America today: AIDS awareness and prevention, the effect of domestic violence on society, ways to motivate young people to service and many others. The following are highlights of the past three Miss Americas' years of service.
Education: Portland State University � Portland, OR
Platform: Breast Cancer in America: Caring Community-by-Community
Quote: �As Miss America 2002, I used my influence to support women battling breast cancer, especially those who are struggling in the last days of their lives. I support any program or initiative that conveys messages of hope, improves their quality of life and provides information, education and support to women who have been diagnosed.�
Highlights of Year of Service:
- Traveled extensively on a national speaking tour advocating self-examination, early detection, and effective treatment of breast cancer
- Addressed social service agencies and organizations, local officials and lawmakers, to appropriate funding and create new ways of bringing resources together on behalf of breast cancer patients
- Met with governors, legislators, and members of Congress on the issue of supporting women with breast cancer with the goal of encouraging public officials to provide better information, resources and funding in the care and treatment of women battling this disease
- Worked with national advocacy organizations to make their resources better known at the local level
- Spoke on behalf of the research-based pharmaceutical community which, through clinical trials and experimental protocols, offers the best hope for better treatments and a better quality of life, until a breast cancer cure can be found
Education: University of Hawai�i � Manoa � Honolulu, HI
Platform: Character in the Classroom: Teaching Values, Valuing Teachers
Quote: �The adoption of character development programs in our country�s schools must become a national priority. As Miss America, I am encouraging educators, parents and students to make character education an integral element of their school�s culture and curriculum. I am specifically challenging educators to join me, while speaking out as their peer and advocate for better compensation and treatment. Educators must be recognized for the significant role they play in developing values and ethics among youth.�
Highlights of Year of Service:
- Traveled approximately 20,000 miles a month urging students, educators, parents and communities at large to make character education a part of their daily lives
- For Team Harmony, addressed 14,000 students, including students in South Africa and Northern Ireland via satellite, on ways to combat racism, violence and discrimination in their schools and communities
- Actively supported an amendment written by Congressmen Wamp and Etheridge, which allotted $50 million for character education initiatives in President Bush�s HR-1 Education Bill
- Met with governors, legislators, members of Congress, and President Bush to discuss character education funding and implementation
- Testified at the National Governors� Association annual meeting in Rhode Island, encouraging the nation�s chief executives to work with teachers in their states to promote character in the classroom
- Active in the National Catholic Education Association, National Education Association, Hawaii State Teachers� Association, and Golden Key National Honor Society
Education: University of Cincinnati � Cincinnati, OH
Platform: The Forgotten Heroes: Honoring Our Nation�s Homeless Veterans
Quote: �As the daughter of a disabled Vietnam veteran, I pledge my heart, my hands and my voice to helping homeless veterans fight the battles they face on our nation�s streets. So they don�t face these battles alone, I urge all Americans to lend their support to these often forgotten men and women.�
Highlights of Year of Service:
- Traveled approximately 20,000 miles a month on a national speaking tour advocating awareness, funding, and volunteerism for homeless veterans� programs
- Helped to develop a comprehensive homeless veterans bill named in her honor as the �Heather French Omnibus Homeless Veterans Act 2000,� and introduced in the 106th Congress
- Acted as spokesperson for Helping Veterans Fight a Silent Enemy: Hepatitis C campaign in conjunction with the Vietnam Veterans of America and the Veterans Aimed Towards Awareness
- Received National Coalition for Homeless Veterans Advocate of the Year 2000 award
- Received American Legion National Commander�s Public Relations Award and American Legion Auxiliary Public Spirit Award
- Received AMVETS National Commander�s Award
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