People often ask me what I gained from taking part in the Galaxy Pageants. The honest answer is… it wasn’t the sash, the photographs or even stepping onto a stage. It was the women.
Before entering, I imagined it would be a competition. Instead, I found a community. Women of different ages, backgrounds and experiences, each carrying a story that deserved to be heard.Some had overcome illness. Others had rebuilt their lives after heartbreak or loss. Some had faced unimaginable challenges, while others were simply proving to themselves that they were capable of doing something they never thought possible. Listening to their journeys reminded me that every woman has a story. We can never judge someone by their appearance because we rarely know the battles they have fought to stand where they are today.
Although I’d already spent years campaigning against ageism and encouraging women to be seen, the Galaxy Pageants reinforced something I’d always believed: confidence isn’t about perfection. It’s about having the courage to show up as yourself. I also saw how powerful women become when they stop competing and start championing one another. There was laughter, encouragement and genuine friendship. Success wasn’t measured by who wore the crown at the end of the day but by the confidence each woman found along the way.
The experience also reminded me that a platform is most valuable when it’s used for good. Through the pageants I was proud to raise £660 for The Christie Charity, supporting an organisation that means so much to so many families.
Looking back, I don’t remember the nerves. I remember the conversations. I remember the courage. I remember the friendships. Most of all, I remember the incredible women whose stories reminded me that growing older doesn’t make us less interesting—it gives us more chapters to tell.
If there’s one lesson I’ll always carry with me, it’s this:
Every woman has a story worth hearing. Sometimes all she needs is someone willing to listen.
