When it comes to embodying resilience and channeling admiration, Moniesha Jackson Shorter – the reigning United States of America (USOA) Mrs. Maryland – has set her sights far beyond her residence of Upper Marlboro, Maryland.
A three-time breast cancer survivor, Shorter reportedly found inspiration in her own journey to advocate for better outcomes in women’s health, notably calling attention to the limitations and disparities women often indulge due to a lack of preventative healthcare practices and inclusive representation.
Now, the preliminary state representative of the USOA Pageant is continuing to forge paths to champion health equity, utilizing her platform to challenge norms, create paths to accessible preventive care and self-advocacy, and share her own story of survival.
“As a proud three-time breast cancer survivor, my story is one of perseverance and the power of early detection. My experiences have fueled my passion to empower women to prioritize their health and well-being — because our health is our greatest currency,” Shorter wrote in a LinkedIn post announcing her statewide win on March 13. “This incredible journey has been one of resilience, strength, and purpose, and I am deeply grateful for this opportunity.”
The opportunity at hand included traveling to Las Vegas, Nevada, over Memorial Day Weekend to compete in the USOA National Pageant (May 23-25). The annual competition, consisting of 50 women representing each state, aims to empower contestants with the confidence and platform to achieve various goals that serve a broader impact.
For Shorter, that goal is presenting a catalyst for women of color to take ownership of their health journey.
“I want to see a healthcare system that listens, values, and trusts women – particularly Black women, who face some of the gravest disparities,” Shorter told The Informer. “If my advocacy helps one woman schedule a mammogram or speak up about her symptoms, that’s another step toward equity.”
An Empowering Journey as Mrs. Maryland
While Miss Carla Catfora of Texas took home the crown at the end of the night on Sunday, Shorter told The Informer her journey to pageantry has always been a means to serve and inspire others, though she gained as much from the experience as a contestant.
With the support of Crown Bound Pageant Consulting, Shorter gained refined stage presence, sharpened interview skills, and a deeper calling to her own mission.
“[This experience] has helped me see myself more fully — as a survivor, as a woman, and as a vessel for something bigger than a crown,” Shorter touted. “Competing didn’t change who I am — it revealed who I’ve become.”
Ro Mobley, who trained the Prince Georgian throughout her pageant journey, seconded the notion in an interview with WTOP, noting the role that enhanced physical fitness can have on boosting one’s confidence.
“As she was going on, and she was continuously working out…I’m sure it contributed to helping with her self-esteem,” Mobley told WTOP. “Even with her diagnosis, as she was able to go and see her doctor, she increased strength, endurance, ability to just say, ‘Hey, let’s continue on.’ And I believe that that helped with whatever she was going through, whether it was physical, mental or spiritual.”
Shorter commended USOA’s inclusive mission for reminding her that beauty is derived from impact, “not confined to a mold,” and allowing her to tap into another pivotal passion: advancing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).
The University of Maryland (UMD) alumna strives to continue her advocacy of women’s rights in health care in full capacity, emphasizing the importance of ensuring a space where inclusive representation for marginalized communities thrives, even beyond the health landscape.
“Equity isn’t a niche issue,” said the Maryland beauty queen, “it’s a community investment.”
Making a Difference Beyond Healthcare
As a former student at UMD’s A. James Clark School of Engineering, Shorter recounted often being the only Black, and only woman, in her classes when she first enrolled at the institution in 1992. Despite a mirrored reflection of the corporate America she would later navigate, the community product manager works in a mission to offer scholars a much more equitable future.
She furthered her commitment to service and social progression as a member of the Theta Nu chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., (AKA), and returned to UMD in 2019 to earn the Masters degree in Professional Studies, Technological Entrepreneurship, and Cultural Innovation.
Shorter has since served in multiple positions with equity at the forefront, including leading diversity recruiting at the College Park campus, as well as hosting instrumental contributions on various projects that center professional development, community betterment, and entrepreneurial success.
In partnership with the University of Maryland College Park Foundation, Inc., Shorter launched the Moniesha Jackson Shorter Endowed Scholarship for the A. James Clark School of Engineering for minorities in Science and Engineering, as well as the Moniesha Jackson Shorter Endowed Scholarship for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., in 2022, established with a passion “to see minorities achieve and Black women thrive.”
“But the ripple effect of that support touches everyone. When we democratize innovation — when we make classrooms, labs, and boardrooms more inclusive — we expand what’s possible for our society,” Shorter told The Informer.
Committing a total $255,000, the merit-based scholarships support undergraduate students in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to enhance diversity, including but not limited to race or gender.
In a post about the scholarships on UMD’s Division of Student Affairs, Shorter touted her long-time service as an advocate of DEI and a mission to continue eliminating barriers that plague minority professionals.
Drawing on that, she tells readers of the Informer to seek a similar return to justice in education and the community as a whole.
“I encourage readers to support local scholars, advocate for equitable funding in schools, and mentor rising professionals in their networks. Change starts with access, and access begins with intention,” Shorter said.
As the reigning Mrs. Maryland plans to continue her work both in education and healthcare, she offers parting words of encouragement to the next class of beauty queens looking to make a difference — whether it’s in Upper Marlboro or across the world.
“Lead with your purpose. Whether you’re wearing heels or a stage or sneakers in your community, your impact matters,” Shorter said.
And to the USOA Mrs. Maryland: “Honor the sash, but never forget that your voice and vision will always be your greatest crown.”