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Intl. Queen of Queens 2009
Amanda Foor

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Essay

"Why I Should Be Chosen Queen Of Queens"

As a former titleholder, I was recently asked by a local domestic violence shelter to be a guest speaker at one of their events and to share my experience as a crime victim. I spent the day talking with other survivors about their experiences and I got to talking with one woman in particular, who was staying at the shelter with her children. We talked about everything from the weather that day to her leaving her spouse. I was inspired by her courage.

But after a while, she confided in me and shared that she was planning her family’s return to the violent situation. Covered in goose bumps, I said a prayer for the right words. When they finally came to me after what felt like forever, I did my best to encourage her to be strong and think of her children playing a few feet away – safe and protected. I told her if she was hurt once, she would be hurt again and the next time she may not have the opportunity to get away. I reiterated that things happen for a reason and she didn’t just get away, but created an opportunity to reinvent her life into whatever she had ever dreamed of for her and her children. I expressed my concern for her life, and quite possibly, the lives of her little girls.

After an hour, this woman started to sound confident again. She was hopeful and empowered. In the end, she decided to stay at the shelter and utilize the resources she was given to improve her quality of life.

That day, a crown put me in the right place at the right time. I should be chosen Queen of Queens so I can be in a better position to provide similar support to those who need it most.