Our series, “The Road to Miss Iowa 2018,” continues with the next contestant to be featured, Miss Muscatine, Maggie Gehlsen. Continue reading to learn more about Maggie and her journey to the crown!

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What does being Miss Iowa 2018 mean to you?
When I first started my journey in pageants eleven years ago, I would’ve had a very different answer then the one I have today – truth be told, it probably would’ve included something about how I wanted to wear a shiny crown 🙂 This journey has been equally as challenging as it’s been rewarding. My platform addresses sexual assault education & prevention, and as a survivor of sexual assault, it’s really important to me to use this opportunity to bring attention to this issue, and how we can better support survivors in our country. The job of Miss Iowa 2018 means that, to me, you fight for something bigger than yourself, and that you are constantly sharing your story with the hopes of making a difference in the life of another person. That’s my hope as Miss Iowa 2018 — is to let others know they aren’t alone.


Tell our readers a bit about how you prepared for competing in the Miss Iowa system? What challenges did you face in preparing for Miss Iowa?
Preparation, for me, has a strong emphasis on the mental preparedness. It can be really easy to get wrapped up in the excess ‘stuff,’ — what you’re going to wear, how you sound, what shoes look best with your interview outfit, etc. But in the grand scheme, what really matters is that you’re speaking your truth and being the best version of yourself that you can be, with the intention to continue to grow afterwards.

In terms of challenges, I think the biggest challenge has just been to adapt to how much I’ve changed in the last year. I’ve worked really hard to share my story in a way that lets people know there IS hope. When you have a platform that is a heavier topic like sexual violence, it can be easy to fall back into a victim mentality (‘why did this happen to me?,’ etc.) but I’ve found that I’ve really outgrown that mentality. Now, I just think that I’m really lucky to A) be alive and B) be able to share my story with others and hopefully help to facilitate some kind of change in our state and world.


What has been three of your most memorable experiences, since being crowned Miss Muscatine?
First, the development of my nonprofit, Trauma Queens. Trauma Queens is an organization I began in June 2017 that helps survivors of sexual violence own their trauma and heal their bodies in the wake of sexual trauma, utilizing holistic methods like movement and mindfulness. My undergraduate degree is in Exercise Science, so I wanted survivors to know that there are other outlets aside from medication that they can use to feel at home in their bodies again. Now, TQ has a merchandise line, a blog, and an Instagram account where survivors can connect with one another.

Additionally, I’d say my next two memorable experiences were meeting with the staff at End Rape On Campus and RAINN (Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network) in Washington, D.C. this last April. I’m actually now a member of the RAINN Speakers Bureau, which is incredibly surreal. Meeting with these individuals who work tirelessly to ensure we are always making strides in the arena of preventing sexual violence was inspirational and motivating to say the absolute least.


How have you striven to not only promote your personal platform, but also help raise money for the MAO’s national platform, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals?
My platform has developed a lot as Trauma Queens continues to grow, which again, is surreal. I never imagined I’d have a nonprofit, nor did I think I would connect with as many survivors this last year as I have. I try to donate a percentage of sales from Trauma Queens merchandise to some of my favorite organizations like End Rape On Campus, RAINN, and Children’s Miracle Network. The way I see it, these children have endured what some people could never imagine. A lot of them will get another chance at life through Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, so I think the more lives we can help save, the better.


With the recent news which has been brought up in regards to the former Miss America Org. board, what do you hope the future of the MAO holds with their new Chairwoman, Gretchen Carlson?
My sincere hope is that the Miss America Organization really embraces relevancy and transparency move forward. Gretchen Carlson is one of my role models, as her platform is very similar to mine. She really showed a lot of us that even though she was an incredibly successful former Miss America, she still had demons of her own, and she took those demons to spark a remarkable wave of change within workplace culture.

I think, and sincerely hope, that in the future of MAO, they’ll pursue titleholders on every level (local, state, and national), who are transparent in their stories, fight for what is right, and believe that women deserve so much more. MAO at its core is a female empowerment organization, and returning MAO to relevancy will require titleholders who aren’t afraid to speak up on important issues. Additionally, I think the more relatable Miss America is, the better. Miss America needs to be tangible and relatable in a way to where people understand she is a human being. While it’s important she upholds herself and the organization, I think removing her from a pedestal and making sure she’s engaging with the public in a relevant way is crucial. Truth be told, I couldn’t pick a better chairwoman of everything I think the MAO should stand for.


What advice do you have for young women who are looking to step in to the Miss America Organization?
Go for it. You have nothing to lose, and you will learn more about yourself than you ever could’ve imagined. We so desperately need more women to know about this organization and how it can change your life. I am a vastly different human being than I was last year simply by continuing my participation in this incredible organization. The MAO has given be vehicle through which I can share my story, lifelong friends, and an unshakeable confidence in myself that 11-year-old Maggie could’ve never imagined. Participating in the MAO was easily one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

How do you define yourself as a role-model for others?
I know I’ve eluded to this already, but I pride myself on being as transparent as possible. I was at a roundtable discussion a few weeks back, and we were talking about why the teen suicide rate is so astronomically high. My response was that I think we need more people who have public positions of some kind to be transparent in their journeys. Sure, I’m a pageant queen, but I’ve also survived multiple sexual assaults. My trauma is a part of who I am, and while that seemed daunting at first, it’s now the reason I get out of bed in the morning. You can really change a lot of lives on a large scale if you’re courageous enough to share the battles you’ve fought, because we all have them.


What do you think is the biggest challenge which is facing the young generation of America today? And how can we work together to over-come it?
Whew, I think the younger generations have a lot on their plates. The pressures are growing constantly for our nation’s youth. I think the younger generations simply have a hard time understanding how to embrace who they really in the face of constant societal judgment. To combat this, I think it’s vital that we let youth know whatever battles they’re facing are normal and accepted. Mental health is an issue that needs more funding, attention, and transparency. If youth know they aren’t alone or have someone they can confide in (counselors, therapists, teachers, etc.) they’re more likely to be presented with resources that could benefit them in overcoming any struggles they’re coping with. Additionally, it’s worth noting that if children know healthy coping mechanisms early on, this ends up translating into stable college environments and workplaces for them.

Regardless of whomever wins the title of Miss Iowa 2018, what is one goal you have for the new title-holder, which you hope she is able to accomplish during her reign?
I hope whoever becomes Miss Iowa 2018 can be our first Miss America from Iowa. 🙂 But I also hope that she embraces her year with open arms and works hard to convey her message and story to the people of Iowa. Additionally, I hope to see the next Miss Iowa speak her truth as loudly as possible. I always say that each day we choose not to speak our truth is a day wasted, so I sincerely hope whoever she is, she makes each day count.

What have you learned from your current state title-holder, Chelsea Dubczuk, which you will take with you, if you were to win the title of Miss Iowa?
To have FUN and be yourself. Chelsea has such a beautiful heart and has been so real, which I definitely value in her as a titleholder and as a friend. She isn’t afraid to embrace fully what makes her her. I love and admire her authenticity, and hope to carry that legacy on as Miss Iowa 2018.

Bravura is an artistic word for exceptional. What makes you a “bravura” candidate for Miss Iowa?
I think I’m exceptional in the fact that I am constantly trying to grow and learn more about myself so that I can share the best possible version of Maggie with the world. I’m a growth junkie; I am constantly trying to expand myself as a person so I can help as many other people as possible. I eventually want to become an author and politician, so for me, this is all preparation for what I plan to do the rest of my life. My platform will be something I continue to fight for long after my time in pageantry is over. Healing from sexual violence is lifelong, so my work to continue to fight for survivors and for a world free from sexual violence will be, too.


What words of advice do you have for the new class of contestants who are getting ready to compete for your title?
Speak your truth, whatever that may be. All anyone really wants to see is the real you, so don’t waste any time trying to fit into a specific mold of what you think you “should” be. In fact, I just remove the word “should” from my vocabulary. 🙂 Oh, and have fun. There’s only a finite period of time where we’re able to participate in the Miss America Organization, so make it count.

What words of thanks do you have for those who have supported you on this journey?
Oh, goodness. There are so many people who have been on this eleven year journey with me. Mostly, my parents. They’ve allowed me to pursue my dreams relentlessly, and have supported me every single step of the way in my healing and in the development of my platform. I am so thankful for that. My siblings, my friends, Brett, my mentors and coaches — Melissa, Michelle, Jessica, Danette, Kindra — you have all been instrumental on making this journey the incredible one it has been. I am so excited for what’s in store. Thank you a million times over. Love to all of you.

Where can people follow you on social media?
You can follow me on Instagram at @mgehlsen, or @trauma_queens, or on Facebook at “Miss Muscatine 2018 – Maggie Gehlsen.” Can’t wait to connect! 🙂

What final words do you have for the readers of Bravura Magazine and those following you on social media?
My sincere hope for this entire journey is to share my story with the hope of helping someone else. My favorite quote is, “you have been assigned this mountain to show others that it can be moved.” If you’re a survivor, just know that you aren’t alone in this journey. I am so thankful to everyone who has been on my own journey with me, and I am beyond excited for Miss Iowa 2018.