By Krystle J Bailey
After a 15-year break from pageantry, South Jersey’s own Courtney Rice returned to the stage on a mission. The reigning Miss New Jersey for America Strong title holder is heading to Las Vegas in pursuit of the national crown, but before she goes, Rice is raising awareness about a topic close to her heart.
Courtney’s service project, Operation Barbie, is set to kick off Friday, July 21, in conjunction with the release of the new Barbie Movie hitting theatres this week. During the two-week drive, Courtney will be collecting unopened menstrual hygiene products in three public locations as well as at her Egg Harbor Township home. All products will be donated to the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, E.H.T. location.
“One in four young women have a hard time finding resources when it comes to female sanitation products,” explains Rice about her mission. “Most people aren’t aware of the resources available to them.”
Using her Miss New Jersey for America Strong platform, Rice is encouraging young women to remember that, just like Barbie, they can become anything they want to be. While Barbie is known for being a fashionista at first glance, the Barbie franchise has shown little girls across the globe that they can be doctors, lawyers, pop stars, astronauts, teachers, and so much more.
Courtney Rice is proof that glass ceilings are meant to be broken and women of all ages and backgrounds are to be celebrated.
“There is a myth in the pageant world that says if you’re over 25, you can’t compete anymore,” explains Rice, who actively competed in pageants until the age of 17.
Now, at 32, she’s back on the main stage and looks forward to raising awareness while getting to know other difference-makers across the country as she competes against 44 other state title holders.
The Miss for America Strong pageant, which began in 2019, was created to honor single, divorced, or widowed women across the nation. The pageant is a part of the Mrs. America organization, a beauty competition established to celebrate married women in America as well as their families and contributions to the community.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” she explains in reference to her upcoming trip to to the national competition. “I’m not just representing New Jersey, I’m representing Atlantic County, and we don’t get too many state title holders.”
Dropoff locations for Operation Barbie are Bake Happy in Linwood, Pinky’s Nails in Mays Landing (next to Starbucks), and the Girl Scout Retail Shop in English Creek Shopping Center. Donations will be accepted through August 4, 2023. Contact Courtney Rice at courtney.rice523@gmail.com.
Krystle J Bailey is a multimedia journalist, author and poet. Connect with Krystle on Instagram @thedailybailey5
