We were lucky to catch up with Monique Sawyer recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Monique, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
My work ethic comes from a combination of the values I was raised with, personal experience and a deep belief in the power of education. Since I was a little girl, I was raised to believe that having a ticket to an education would open doors of opportunity for me. I left school at 15 years old with only my core values, determination and lots of ambition. I knew that by educating a woman you empower her circle. I knew that a woman’s education status predicts their children’s educational status. It can have a profound multigenerational effect. With this in mind, I never let dropping out of school get in the way of my education. I chose to study law, pursuing a legal career because I had been a teen mother myself and I wanted to be the role model that I needed. Experiencing early parenthood firsthand essentially fuelled my determination to pursue a career that could provide stability and opportunities for my son, Isaac and myself. I saw law as a path to not only support my family but also to advocate for others facing similar challenges. My personal experience taught me the importance of resilience, empathy, and the power of education in overcoming obstacles. I can now appreciate that I like to work on things that no one can take away from me and that is my education. This philosophy and my life experience are what continues to fuel my work ethic.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am an award-winning Pageant Queen, proud to have achieved 1st Runner-Up at the 2024 International Ms pageant held in Florida, USA. Now, I am thrilled to return to the international stage as International Mrs Australia 2025!
This prestigious title represents more than just a crown. It is a reflection of my hard work, dedication, and the support of my family, friends, sponsor (Mariette Bridal Veils) and community. It symbolises the culmination of my body of work, countless hours of preparation, including physical training, mental fortitude, and honing my talents. It serves as a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of self-belief.
My pride in representing Australia runs deep. As a descendent of those that have served our country during times of war and peacekeeping, I carry with me a family legacy of resilience and service. This heritage inspires me to showcase our rich culture, heritage, and values on the international stage, celebrating our region’s diversity and innovative spirit. I am to honour this spirit by showcasing the strength of our nation and the values that unite us.
To be competing in the International Ms Pageant is an experience that goes beyond the sash and crown. It is about embracing the opportunity to grow, advocate for causes close to my heart, including Fostering Hope Australia Inc and Still She Rose initiative. This journey is an opportunity to create a global impact, amplify voices that need to be heard, and inspire others to embrace their own potential.
Equally, this platform allows me to showcase the International Ms pageant system to my community, encouraging and paving the way for the next Australian Queens to come after me. It is an honour to be an International Ms titleholder and I am beyond grateful for this once in a lifetime opportunity to represent Australia on the world stage.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, three key qualities that have been most impactful in my pageant journey are confidence, resilience, and the ability to use one’s voice for advocacy.
One of the most transformative experiences in my personal journey has been competing in pageants. Most specifically the International Ms pageant. Pageantry provides a unique platform to amplify important causes, develop personal skills, and make a global impact. As an International Ms pageant queen, I have been empowered to raise my voice on critical issues, such as global environmental concerns. A defining moment for me was chairing a Global Peace Environmental Forum alongside distinguished speakers from around the world. This experience reaffirmed the immense potential of pageants like International Ms to serve as platforms for advocacy on a global scale.
Pageants contribute to the empowerment of women in multiple ways. They encourage confidence, foster personal growth, celebrate diversity, and provide leadership opportunities. They also offer a space where delegates can champion causes close to their hearts, inspiring others to take action.
For those early in their journey, my personal advice is: Give pageantry a try! It is an enriching experience that can unlock opportunities for personal and professional growth while allowing you to create meaningful impact.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
One of the biggest challenges I had to overcome was having a limited educational background while being a teen mother with a young child to raise. For me, my approach to tackling these challenges was to take it “one day at a time.” These wise words of wisdom were passed down to me by my Mother and my Nanna. Words they not only shared but embodied in their own lives.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://moniquesawyer.com
- Instagram: moniquesawyerofficial
- Facebook: Monique Sawyer
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
