Laterbiokoshie Stake Holds Miss Relief Society Beauty Pageant

The leadership of the Lartebiokoshie Stake Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held the maiden edition of Miss Relief Society Beauty Pageant this weekend. Relief Society is for women ages 18 and over and is one of the largest women’s organizations in the world.

The pageant, which took place at the stake center in Accra, primarily began to encourage women to uphold their dress and appearance standards irrespective of the occasion.

The theme of the program, “Revamping Modesty and Unity Among Sisters," was also aimed at educating sisters on the principl of modesty, as well as to promote unity among sisters.

At the contest, 16 participants, drawn from the various wards (congregations of the Church) within the stake (similar to a diocese) contested for the beauty crown by exhibiting their talents, as well as wearing clothes they deem appropriate for Church service and casual occasions.

To achieve the right results, a 13-member committee made up of the Stake Relief Society Presidency, high counselors responsible for Relief Society and music, was constituted to oversee the planning of the activity.

Asked how it felt like to be crowned a beauty queen, Ms. Jennifer Folli, said looking at the falling standards in dress and appearance, such initiatives can be used to sensitize members and the public on the right standards. “You don’t need to expose your body before you can be fashionable,” she added.

She further explained that with the help of the stake presidency, her one-year project dubbed “Operation Skills Acquisition,” will be used to assist sisters in the acquisition of vocational skills to  help in their pursuit of self-reliance.

According to 1^st Runner- Up, Beatrice Arthur, she will be partnering with officials of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to ensure that all sisters that have not yet enrolled, will be duly registered.

Speaking on what her expectations were for subsequent pageants, the beauty queen explained that she will look forward to many sisters taking keen interest in the event.

Contestants were each presented with a certificate of participation.