From Victim to Survivor: Ending Sexual Assault
I am using my year of service to address the issue of sexual assault. I myself was a victim of this crime, and after months of a seemingly unbeatable struggle with the trauma, I attempted to take my own life. Thankfully, with a strong support system behind me, I was able to heal and use my voice to bring justice against my perpetrator and empower others to speak up. Now, I want to use my voice to end sexual violence and support survivors. This crown is a microphone, and I'm ready to use it.
My Why
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My Community Service Initiative
As a sexual assault survivor, I found strength in my voice. With help from Chicago's Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation (CAASE), I gained the resources to heal and win my case against my perpetrator. I am grateful to CAASE and proud to have shared my story as a speaker at their annual conference last year, which empowered others to do the same.
The Miss America Opportunity is my opportunity to address the issue of sexual assault, which affects almost half a million Americans each year, and increases suicide rates almost ten-fold among survivors. I aim to use the crown's resources and connections to draw awareness to the issue and fight to prevent assaults, advocate for survivors, and help victims reclaim their power and freedom.
During my year of service, I will execute the following three-prong approach:
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Awareness and Prevention: Speaking at college campuses to educate students and faculty on what consent means. I will share my personal story of survivorship to inspire others to take steps to protect themselves, and teach administrators how to hold perpetrators accountable.
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Survivor Advocacy: Partnering with the media and Jane Doe Inc., the Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, to successfully petition the legislature to expand protections and avenues of justice for sexual assault victims. I will lead fundraising efforts to support more widely available and well-informed resources for survivors.
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Victim Support: Helping survivors of sexual assault feel heard and empowered, guiding them through reporting, medical care, and legal challenges. My goal is to create a safe space for healing, offering resources and compassion to help them regain freedom and power over their own lives.
Achieving this mission will be challenging alone, but with the leadership resources offered by the Miss America opportunity, I will have a larger platform to address sexual assault. I believe a healthy society is one free of sexual violence, and we must better protect potential victims and support survivors. Over the next 365 days, I will use my platform to turn this vision into a reality.
School Appearances
I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve as a guest speaker at multiple Sexual Assault Awareness Month events at schools across Massachusetts, including Worcester State University’s Denim Arts & Crafts Event for Denim Day and Stand With Survivors. During these appearances, I engaged with students and faculty in meaningful conversations about consent, how to effectively support survivors, and the importance of accountability. I also shared my own story in the hope that it would foster greater empathy, encourage informed allyship, and empower survivors to speak out about their experiences when they feel ready.
Local Anti-Sexual-Violence Organizations
I am honored to work alongside Pathways for Change (P4C), the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center (BARCC), and Jane Doe Inc., the Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault (JDI), supporting their critical initiatives to prevent sexual violence and advocate for survivors. I was especially grateful for the opportunity to serve as a featured speaker and walk team leader at BARCC’s 19th Annual Walk for Change, helping to raise awareness, show solidarity with survivors, and fundraise in support of BARCC’s mission. I was also proud to be a featured speaker at P4C’s Denim Day Community Event and to join JDI at their 2025 Spring Into Action celebration reception. In December 2025, I organized a fundraiser benefiting these organizations in response to the announced $7 million cut to survivor services—a decision that has since been overturned for reconsideration. I look forward to continuing this work and sharing more updates soon.
Sexual Assault Awareness Month
I view the Miss America Opportunity (MAO) as a powerful platform, and I use the organization’s social media reach to raise awareness and educate others about sexual assault. Throughout April—Sexual Assault Awareness Month—I shared posts on a range of topics related to sexual violence and created space for open, thoughtful dialogue by inviting people to ask questions about the issue, as well as about my own journey of healing and pursuing justice. My goal was for audiences to leave with a deeper understanding of the issue, increased empathy, and clearer ways to support survivors, while also helping survivors feel less alone in their healing journeys. I also welcomed a number of guest speakers to these conversations, including Christina Zuba, Managing Attorney for Education Advocacy at the Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation; Danielle Balocca, Clinician Intern Program Manager and Senior Clinician at the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center; members of the Worcester Police Department; and others who shared their expertise, survivor stories, and guidance on supporting survivors. Be sure to check out my social media pages, linked above, to learn more.