In a bold move to challenge long-standing norms, Danielle Hazel, a New York woman, has taken on the Miss America and Miss World pageants over their controversial rules that disqualify mothers from participating. Hazel, who had always dreamed of competing in these prestigious pageants, was disheartened to find that her eligibility was stripped away simply because she had a child at the age of 19. Speaking at the Women’s Rights Pioneers Monument in Central Park, Hazel shared her frustration and highlighted her young son’s reaction to the situation.
Hazel recounted that when she explained the pageant rules to her six-year-old son, Zion, his response was immediate and straightforward. “He said that these rules are stupid,” Hazel noted, emphasising her son’s instinctive sense of fairness. This poignant moment underscores not only Hazel’s personal disappointment but also a broader critique of the rules that exclude mothers based on outdated stereotypes.
Her legal advocate, Gloria Allred, has filed a complaint with the city’s Commission on Human Rights, seeking to overturn these discriminatory rules. Allred’s complaint argues that the exclusion of mothers from these pageants represents a significant business and cultural injustice. According to Allred, the rules are grounded in antiquated stereotypes that falsely assume women cannot embody both the qualities of a mother and the attributes celebrated in beauty pageants—such as beauty, poise, talent, and philanthropy.
Allred, a renowned civil rights attorney, has a track record of challenging similar discriminatory practices. Notably, she previously succeeded in overturning a similar rule in California that barred mothers from competing in the Miss California pageant, which is affiliated with Miss Universe and Miss USA. This victory led to the elimination of a 70-year-old rule that was imposed globally across affiliated pageants. Allred argues that parenthood should not be a barrier to participating in such opportunities and that societal stigmas against parents must be dismantled.
The Miss America and Miss World organisations have yet to respond to enquiries about Hazel’s case, and the Commission on Human Rights has declined to comment on ongoing investigations. However, the debate over these rules has gained additional momentum with the involvement of Veronika Didusenko, Miss Ukraine 2018. Didusenko’s title was revoked by Miss World upon discovering she had a child, leading her to become a prominent advocate for ending bans on mothers in beauty pageants. Despite losing her legal challenge in Ukraine, Didusenko is now pursuing relief through the European Court of Human Rights, demonstrating the international dimension of this issue.
The collective efforts of Hazel, Allred, and Didusenko highlight a growing movement against exclusionary practices in beauty pageants. They argue that being a parent should not disqualify individuals from pursuing their dreams or participating in public opportunities. This case not only seeks to challenge and change pageant rules but also aims to foster a more inclusive and
equitable society where personal choices and family status do not dictate professional opportunities.
As the debate unfolds, the broader implications for beauty pageants and similar institutions will be closely watched, potentially setting a precedent for how such organisations address issues of discrimination and inclusivity in the future.
