Since I won the prestigious crown of Mrs. New York America a year and half ago, I have been looking forward to crowning the next Queen.
Some might think it is odd, to be thinking about crowing a successor so soon after winning, but I have learned that the magic of pageantry is about the legacy of women supporting women. The crown is a crown of commitment , service, history and love. We pass the crown to empower another Queen. This legacy is bigger than any one person. It is a culmination of all the courageous women who came before me, and the women after. Pageantry is feminism in motion and each queen adds something unique to this crown.
I am so honored to have the privilege to serve my beloved home state of New York during 2017. I made history as the first Asian American to win this title and I have so many people to thank for this achievement and for all the amazing progress we made during my reign.
Big thanks to my beloved husband Pat for being my biggest supporter. For always encouraging me to pursue my ambitions. You allow me to always challenge myself to exceed my own expectations. Big thanks to my family and Uncle Jo Jo for your support through all the adventures during my reign.
Thank you to my beautiful Director Diane Hardgrove for your love, guidance and never ending grace. I learned so much from you, and still learning. I am so happy to call you my Mrs. World sister queen and forever friend. I am so grateful.
I thank David and Elaine Marmel for providing this incredible organization to showcase married women around the nation and the world. You are pioneers and I’m so proud to be part of your family.
Thank you Sheila Straussburg, my Queen Maker from day 1, your loyalty, love and friendship will last me a lifetime.
Thank you to my Mrs New York pageant family : Melissa Briscoe , for your generosity, humor and wisdom. Amy Bell for your unwavering support and encouragement. Thank you to the entire incredible Mrs New York pageant staff, thank you to my former judges turned mentors Carl Schway and Eiesha Horsely. Thank you Tracy Crist, my adopted Director, for your love, guidance and always fabulous wardrobe .
All my gratitude to my pageant sisters and especially Danyel , Kate, Marjorie, Patti, Bridget: your love and support made my reign so special and successful. We are forever sisters.
The crown taught me that to be a Queen is to serve. I am proud to share with you a recap of some of the highlights of my service as Mrs New York America 2017:
* Raised $5,000 for Victoria Voice Foundation and collaborated with the Sheriff of Morris County to spread awareness with their Hope One recovery Van.
* Received a Proclamation for my community service by the Board of Freeholders of Morris County.
* Raised over $30,000 for Children’s Aid Society to fund summer day camps for underprivileged children.
* Motivational speaker at many events , Hope Academy, YMCA , Community Health Academy of the Heights.
* Mentored homeless youths at the Covenant House of NYC by editing their resumes and personal mock interview workshops.
* Collaborated with the NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs for community outreach.
* Served on the organizing committee of “5 Under 40” 501 (c) 3, Fundraising Gala to raise funds for Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Capitale NYC.
* Spearheaded the Mrs New York America Pageant Marketing and Promotion Campaign on multiple social media outlets.
* Promoted the Mrs New York America pageant by being interviewed on Huff Post and NBC.
While I am incredibly honored to have won the “Super Bowl” of the international Mrs Pageants, Mrs. World, on 12/16/2017, nothing is quite like winning and serving as your Mrs. New York. Wearing the “New York “ sash across my heart will always be one of my proudest memories. My Mrs. New York experience prepared me to win on an international level. As Sinatra said about New York : If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere ! New York, New York !
Best wishes and love to the new Mrs. New York America 2018! I love you already. The crown will challenge you and open so many doors for you. You are the Queen of the best state in the Union. And I say it with proud bias, of course.
May your reign be successful and filled with abundant joy and personal growth. I can’t wait to cheer you on and see you shine my sister !
With love and gratitude,
Alice Lee Giannetta, Esq.
Mrs. World 2018
Mrs. New York America 2017
