We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Rita Scott. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Rita below.

Alright, Rita thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

As a domestic violence survivor, I have made it my mission to show others who have or are currently facing domestic violence of any kind that there is Purpose in their Pain. As a 12-year survivor of domestic abuse, I know how difficult it is to see hope in hopeless situations. I have spent my life pleasing other people and wanting to see a smile on everyone’s face, so much so that I lose sight of myself in that moment. This pushed me to finally leave the marriage. There was a moment where I wanted him dead and I didn’t care if I lived. In allowing it to get to this place I had to find a way to take back my peace. Had I acted on that thought his kids wouldn’t have a father and my kids wouldn’t have a mother and it wasn’t worth it. I always thought of the kids, and I thought that because they didn’t see the abuse it wouldn’t scare or damage them so badly. What I didn’t realize until I left the marriage just how tremendous the residual effects would be. My self-esteem was extremely low. I didn’t realize that I no longer made eye contact with other people. Be that man or woman because I was conditioned to walk and talk a certain way to prevent fighting.

When I started pageantry it was only fitting that my platform be Domestic Violence. From one survivor to the others it shows that there is a way out. It also shows them that their current position is NOT their permanent posture. I want to be the vessel that God uses to shine a light into the world of abuse.

Rita, 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?

My name is Rita Marie Scot and I am the mother of 4 amazing children. i am also the Gi-Gi of 5. I am currently working to obtain a degree in Theology with a concentration in Ministerial Leadership at Grace Christian University. I am from the historic town of Greenville, Ga.
At a very young age, I had a desire to help and serve others. I have never really wanted to be in the spotlight but I am grateful for every opportunity that God has given me. In 2021 I published my first book called, “Woman In Waiting” and that was one of the scariest moments for me because I was worried about how people would take or receive the book. I had to get to the place where it was more about obedience to God versus the validation of others. In the years to follow I published two other books which are titled, “A Midnight’s Heart Cry”, and “Surviving Me”. If my books could help at least one person I had completed the task that God had assigned to me.
On September 23, 2017, I launched my first Outreach Ministry, U Don’t Know My Story”. This ministry would focus on giving hope to the hopeless. As a domestic violence survivor, it is important to me to show other victims that there is a prosperous life after abuse. I wanted to be able to share with others the skills and tools that I utilized to not only get out of that toxic relationship but also to remain out. People always have an opinion on what they would or would not have done if they were in that situation, and even I am guilty of that. However, if you aren’t or have never been in that type of situation you don’t know what you would do. The rules change when it’s you. A few years later, I launched “C Beyond Your Now”. This is also an outreach ministry that focuses on youth and young adults. It’s a ministry that gives them hope and shows them what the world has to offer them. Being from such a small town I didn’t get to see the different types of organizations that I am now a part of. I feel that every child and or person should be exposed to as many opportunities as possible.
In 2021 I decided that I would take my chances at being a plus-size model. If I am being honest I never really thought that it would happen but I had just enough faith to step out. Needless to say, I was one of the people that was chosen to receive a portfolio. I have been a plus-size woman since I was a teenager and I want to show other full-figured young ladies that we can do anything that we put our mind to. This is what led me to Pageantry. In 2022 I signed up for the Ms. Full-Figured Ga Pageant and accomplished my ultimate goal which was to take the top title for my age group. On August 12, 2023 (which was my 42nd birthday), I was crowned Ms. Exquisite Full-Figured GA 2023, as well as Ms. Full-Figured GA Community Service 2023. The pageant journey helped me to crown into the confident Queen that I have grown to love. Being on that stage showed me that it’s possible to be the complete opposite of what society and social media says that a model and pageant Queen should look like.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

There is indeed a goal or mission that drives me to remain on this creative journey. That goal is to not only be the example for my children that anything is possible if you put your mind to it but to all generations that came after me. Sometimes people need to see the manifestation of the things that are spoken to believe that it is possible for them as well. I guess in short my mission is to be the change that I want to see in the world.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

The lesson that I had to unlearn would hands-down be people pleasing. For the majority of my life, I have worked so hard to please the people around me because I was ever the most popular kid. I was also bullied and I felt if I could make them happy or make them smile then maybe they would like me. I had to get to a place where it didn’t matter how others felt or what they felt that I should be doing but I was simply happy being who God created me to be. The one and only Rita Marie and I am her unapologetically.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @udk0225
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ritamariescott

Image Credits

Photographers: Belinda Godfrey, and David price