"The Pentagon recently made the decision to open up all combat jobs to women," said judge Joe Zee, noting how it was a personal issue for Barber. "Now some have questioned if this has put political correctness over our military’s ability to perform at the highest level. What are your thoughts?"
The newly crowned queen wasted no time with her impeccable response.
"As a woman in the United States Army, I think it is an amazing job by our government to allow women to integrate into every branch of the military," she said as the crowd erupted
"We are just as tough as men. As a commander of my unit I am powerful, I am dedicated and it's important to recognize that gender does not limit us in the United States Army."
The 5-foot-10 model graduated from Virginia State University in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in business management. She later attended the University of Maryland University College, where she earned a master’s degree in management information systems.
Barber is a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. According to the nonprofit sisterhood’s website, its mission is to “enhance the quality of life within the community. Public service, leadership development and education of youth are the hallmark of the organization’s programs and activities. Sigma Gamma Rho addresses concerns that impact society educationally, civically and economically.”
The sorority, which has more than 500 chapters and was founded at Butler University in Indianapolis in November 1922, posted a congratulatory message via Facebook on Monday, June 6, writing, “The excitement continues! Congratulations to the new Miss USA, Soror Deshauna Barber! Soror Barber joined Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. in Spring 2009 through Alpha Zeta Chapter at Virginia State University. She wore that gold dress Sunday night and won the crown!”
According to her Miss USA bio, the Columbus, Georgia, native
loves to dance, hike and spend her free time with family. She is also
passionate about advocating for military soldiers in an attempt to break
stereotypes.
During the competition on Sunday, she stated, “I’m being
able to say that no one pageant girl does the same thing or has the same
background, and I’m also saying that no one soldier has the same background and
does the same thing. We can be feminine, we can be in beauty contests, and we
can be models. So there are stereotypes on both sides that I feel like I’m
breaking by even being here and being able to compete for Miss USA.”
For the final judging round, these three women were each asked the same question, which was to define "confidently beautiful" (an unofficial theme of the evening). Miss Georgia said it was about loving your flaws, and Miss Hawaii said it was about making other people feel loved, but it was Miss D.C.'s answer that really got the crowd excited as she took the opportunity to highlight her military experience, arguing it was about being able to earn others' respect, despite your appearance.
Second Runner-Up: Miss Georgia (Emanii Davis)
First Runner-up: Miss Hawaii (Chelsea Hardin)
WINNER: Miss District of Columbia, Deshauna Barber! Miss D.C. was clearly a favorite throughout the competition, both for her major achievement in smizing, and her impressive job as both an IT Analyst for the U.S. Department of Commerce and a Logistics Commander for the 988th Quartermaster Detachment Unit. Not too shabby Miss USA, not too shabby.
After languishing in a coma for six months, Bobbi Kristina died at the age of 22 on July 26, 2015. The aspiring singer, who was found face down and unresponsive in a bathtub that January, died from lobar pneumonia and a lack of oxygen, which resulted in brain damage. According to a toxicology report, Bobbi Kristina had a mix of alcohol and drugs in her system.
Bobby, along with Bobbi Kristina’s conservator Bedelia Hargrove, has since filed a $10 million wrongful death suit against Gordon, Bobbi Kristina’s controversial love. In the lawsuit, Gordon is accused of allegedly having abused Bobbi Kristina as well as injecting her with a toxic mixture of drugs that ultimately led to her death. Gordon's lawyer later released a counterstatement calling the claims "slanderous and meritless."
