O’FALLON, Mo. – An O’Fallon, Missouri resident is about to show the world that older generations should not be forgotten. Loretta Redmond is determined to challenge the status quo.
At 66, Redmond is competing in the Miss USA State Pageant for Missouri, demonstrating that Baby Boomers still have plenty to offer.
The Miss USA pageant system was previously limited to participants between 17 and 25 years old. However, as of January 2024, the age limit has been lifted, allowing Redmond and others to compete.
“People are counting out the Baby Boomers, which is my main reason for participating. We’re the largest generation right now, and yet, there are times when society forgets about us,” said Redmond.
Redmond’s decision was partly influenced by her daughter, who had participated in the teen version of the pageant years ago. They both planned to enter the competition together when the age rules changed, but her daughter eventually decided to sit out.
Redmond will be competing against women of all ages. But the pageant is about more than just beauty; it involves being judged on career achievements, community contributions, and overall personal development.
“They judge you based on the things you’ve done in your career, your contributions to your community, to society, and just basically what you’ve done as a person,” Redmond explained.
Redmond is a breast cancer survivor since 2011 and has been living with a pacemaker due to cardiac sarcoidosis since 1990. Having retired in 2020 after a long career in healthcare administration and running her own practice management company, Redmond is now focusing on her nonprofit work.
She founded the Museum of Black Inventors in 1996, which travels around the country showcasing the achievements of African American inventors from the 1800s to the present day.
For Redmond, entering the Miss USA pageant is not just about winning a title; it’s about ensuring society and the world do not forget about the Baby Boomers.
“We may have retired, but we’ve worked hard, and we’re getting ready to not just retire and travel. We can still do things,” she said.
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