We were lucky to catch up with Marlena Martin recently and have shared our conversation below.

Marlena, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

in coaching women for the Miss America Pageant, I found that many women still wanted to go back to school, develop in the performing arts or speaking and continue with non profit work but the pageant was “aging them out” at 26. I wanted to start something similar to Miss America for women 27 and up — married and single — to keep women awarded and recognized for their continuing education and creative pursuits at ANY AGE.

Marlena, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I saw pageants and society ruling out women after 30 and 40 when they were still accomplishing, going back to school, looking gorgeous, etc. so I thought I needed to create a pageant for women AFTER they “age out” of Miss America.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

People have to feel a part of the organization– they feel they have to create it and then they feel vested. We have both Ambassador and Legacy queens who are returners every year.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

lots of listening to women….showing I care and listening to what they felt the voids were in the marketplace. And creating a space and event where they could feel HEARD.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.womanofachievement.com
• Instagram: woapageant
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WomanofAchievement
• Linkedin: Marlena Martin