Jennifer Lynn Robinson’s journey to Miss Traditional Universe, the crowning magnificence queen over 40, started 14 years in the past when she was hit by a truck.
Robinson, a trial lawyer for Triple A Mid-Atlantic, went to a routine physician’s appointment in Could 2008 when he crashed. “I attempted to rise up, however I could not,” Robinson stated.
Robinson suffered a number of damaged bones in his face, eight ribs and a collapsed lung. He suffered bleeding in his left eye and misplaced his peripheral imaginative and prescient. He tore his Achilles tendon. Robinson spent per week within the intensive care trauma unit on the College of Pennsylvania and greater than a yr in bodily, cognitive and speech remedy. He misplaced his stability. He suffered a light traumatic mind harm.
Six months after the accident, Robinson returned to work part-time, however by no means returned to trial regulation.
In 2011 Robinson started her profession as a fundraising and occasions advisor. It become a enterprise Purposeful Networking, the place he teaches enterprise professionals and company leaders easy methods to activate attraction in social settings. Three years later, he determined to strive his hand at public talking. He has given lots of of company live shows and in 2020 gave a digital Ted X speak at Monticello College, Arkansas.
In 2021, she determined to take part within the Ms. Traditional Universe pageant. He received.
“Her story and willingness to share it makes Jennifer an exquisite Ms. Traditional Universe,” stated Lynda Samuels, government director of the Arizona-based Traditional Universe franchise. “He did not take a look at himself and assume, ‘I haven’t got what it takes.'”
Today, Robinson hits crimson carpets and lavish events in Philadelphia in her tiara and gold sash. We chatted over lunch just lately and mentioned survival, life’s twists and turns, and Robinson’s failure within the competitors.
Solutions have been edited for readability.
Why would a lady with no magnificence pageant expertise wish to be in her 40s?
I’m turning 50 years outdated. I used to be drawn to taking part on this magnificence pageant, which historically doesn’t rejoice a 5ft 10in tall, blonde haired, younger and skinny lady.
What was your platform?
Serving to individuals with invisible accidents. After I recovered bodily my mind harm was invisible to individuals and they might say issues like ‘you look good’, if an individual cannot do one thing you by no means wish to say ‘you look good why’. cannot you?”
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What was it like being to this point out of your aspect?
I knew night put on and resort put on can be a part of the pageant. All of it sounded good. However after I obtained there, there have been a whole lot of ladies who clearly had a whole lot of pageant expertise. Then I used to be informed I needed to do a gaggle dance. If I had identified that, I’d have stop on the spot. However then I had a revelation: Quitting is just not who I’m. I promised it.
Wait, you had been a lady who did not stroll?
We had a foot coach. Once I was coaching, she informed me to place your shoulders again, stick out your chest, look assured. smile You overlook to smile.” I simply put all of it collectively.
How did you’re feeling through the swimming competitors?
We had the selection of sporting both bathing fits or resort put on. I used to be the one contestant who selected to not put on a swimsuit. I did not really feel comfy sporting only a bathing swimsuit and excessive heels on stage. I wore this very quick, Lily (Pulitzer) kaftan. All the opposite ladies had been in bikinis and thongs they usually had been oiling themselves and I used to be like, what are these judges going to consider me?
What did you study from this expertise?
It was the altering circumstances that made me consider in myself once more and adjusted my life.
Do you’re feeling lovely?
At all times.
Is that this crown heavy?
The crown is heavy and I adore it.
What’s the finest bonus?
My household at all times jokes that I’m a diva, a queen and an additional. Now everybody has a motive to name me queen and deal with me like one.
Would you suggest different ladies over 40 compete?
Sure. I realized rather a lot about myself. I do know this: It doesn’t matter what you assume your limits are, there’s at all times a approach to push them. That is one thing all of us must ask ourselves: What can all of us do to problem our boundaries?
