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Date Posted: 10:10:11 03/06/09 Fri
Fri, March 6, 2009
By IAN GILLESPIE, FREE PRESS COLUMNIST
Sandra Kirilovic is explaining why she's thrilled to be competing in the Miss Universe Canada beauty pageant, when it occurs to me that I wouldn't have interviewed her -- or written this story -- 20 years ago.
Because I'm sure my editors -- particularly the female ones -- would've frowned upon any kind of beauty pageant story that didn't paint such events as sexist sideshows that objectify women.
And frankly, I likely would've agreed.
But trying to explain that to Kirilovic is a bit like trying to describe a road map, while in total darkness, to a person who always finds their way with a GPS.
Because as far as the 22-year-old University of Western Ontario graduate is concerned -- and I suspect, many of her peers -- the Miss Universe Canada pageant doesn't demean women. It empowers them.
"I think it's important to change the image of the pageant world," says Kirilovic. "In the past, it was maybe viewed in a certain way. But nowadays, I don't see why we have to get rid of pageantry. I just think we have to change our interpretation of it."
For Kirilovic, who graduated from UWO's psychology program and now plans to pursue a post-graduate degree that might ultimately lead to a career as a lawyer specializing in environmental issues, Miss Universe Canada has absolutely nothing to do with the old bimbo-in-a-sash stereotype.
"Now, I think the winner of Miss Universe Canada is looked upon as a leader, as a woman who's very strong and independent," she says. "I want to represent smart, intelligent women who state their opinion."
I'm sure a lot of 50-something feminists would roll their eyes, but Kirilovic clearly belongs to a generation of post-feminist females who have no qualms about celebrating -- maybe even exploiting -- their appearance.
The Miss Universe Canada pageant takes place in Toronto on May 16. (The winner will advance to the Miss Universe contest in August.) Kirilovic applied online and then, after undergoing a series of interviews this winter, was chosen to represent the region of London.
"Obviously, they liked my look," says Kirilovic. "But I think they were really interested in my speaking abilities and intelligence.
Of course, there is a local precedent: London's Karen Baldwin was crowned Miss Universe in 1982. But from where Kirilovic sits, that might just as well have been 1882.
Kirilovic says a Miss Universe Canada crown would primarily give her a platform to spread her enthusiasm for environmental sustainability.
And she fails to see how a contest celebrating smart, attractive women could somehow be seen in a negative light.
"It's more of a spokeswoman position," says Kirilovic, who was born and raised in Niagara Falls. "Sure, they want someone who has a nice look. But at the same time, they want someone who has a lot going on upstairs.
"I mean, if I win, I'm representing Canada," she adds. "I'm not representing hair brushes."
http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/News/Local/2009/03/06/8650176-sun.html
Last edited by author: Fri March 06, 2009 10:23:38
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