It’s a new dawn for women in Cayman hoping to vie for the title of Miss Universe Cayman Islands with more inclusive rules and the removal of age limits.
The global Miss Universe pageant, which has been around since 1952, only allowed women who were unmarried, with no children, and aged between 18 and 28 to participate – until now. The organisation announced in 2023 it would end the age restrictions globally and invite all women, including mothers and married women, to compete in the pageant.
The historic change is being marked locally this year with contestants ranging from ages 19 to 36, and including one wife and mother.
“Pageantry continues to evolve globally. As it continues to change so does our local pageant,” Derri Lee, national director for the local franchise told the Compass.
“We see this as an opportunity for women that was busy furthering their education and raising their children to now boost their careers in entertainment, build their network and shine on the world stage at the Miss Universe pageant. It’s an opportunity to also boost their self-confidence and reinvent themselves.”
She added, “We believe the changes will only bring positivity to women in our community. We need more outlets like this for women. A woman’s life and goals do not stop at 28 or 30. In fact, we have only just begun.”
Belinda Ebanks-Grant, 36, who will be the oldest contestant at the pageant this summer, told the Compass she was “elated”.
“The local beauty pageant is more than a beauty pageant, It’s an empowering, inspirational, leadership platform.”
Ebanks, who is representing Cayman Brac and is a wife and mother to three boys, said she believes the changes “are proactively aligned with the belief that all persons, no matter the societal boxes they have been put into, deserve the opportunity to be their authentic selves and be celebrated for it.”
Pointing to the more inclusive nature of the pageant with the changes to the rules, she said, “As a woman, I believe age or traditional barriers do not define us. It’s not tomorrow. It’s not yesterday. But it’s now. The time is now that you can go after what you want and continue carrying the torch for all women.
“I am honoured to be amongst great standard-bearers, and grateful for the opportunity to have our voices heard and presence recognised, while breaking barriers, blazing trails and forging a better tomorrow for all.”
But the amended rules have also raised concerns. Michele Aubert, who represented Cayman in the 1989 Miss Cayman pageant, told the Compass she is “grappling” with the recent changes, especially as they relate to “inclusivity and fairness” in pageants.
“While I support the idea of everyone prospering in a changing world, I am pondering the fairness of [putting] a young 18-year-old against an experienced, middle-aged married woman or a grandmother,” she said.
“I have questions – for example, how to address a married winner. Despite these uncertainties, I commend the strong candidates vying to represent the Cayman Islands.”
This year’s competition will be held on 31 Aug. at the Westin resort, with seven women vying for the 2024 title. The 2023 winner, Ileann Powery, will crown her successor.
For more on the 2024 contestants and latest events, visit the Miss Universe Cayman Islands website.
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Selectiveness/exclusiveness was the only rule here. Without it, it’s uninteresting & irrelevant.