Kate (Wilson) Cohen is the current Mrs. Pennsylvania United States. She previously competed in the Miss America system and we are pageant sisters through the Miss Philadelphia program. Here are some words of wisdom from this experienced and talented woman. 

World Peace (WP): How is being a Mrs. contestant different than being a Miss?
Kate Cohen (KC): From what I have observed, pageant competitors on the Miss level are going for more of a red carpet look in styling, wardrobe and onstage modeling while the Mrs. contestants seem to favor a more traditional pageant look.
Also, I wasn’t able to find a Mrs. pageant that included a Talent competition, which was always one of my favorite parts of competing.  That was a big change for me.
Overall, Mrs. Contestants list their top priorities as their careers and families and involvement in pageantry seems to come from a desire to be active in one’s community, for personal satisfaction and growth, and for supportive social interaction with like-minded women.  I can only speak for myself, but as a Miss contestant, I needed to win scholarship money to help fund my undergraduate degree.  Winning each crown or award meant another tuition bill would be paid, and another opportunity to network and build my career, so I took competition very seriously.  I think Miss contestants face a lot of pressure to win whether it stems from financial need, desire for fame or opportunity, or even parental approval. Over time, that pressure can drain the enjoyment from pageantry and for me, that joy returned full force as a Mrs. contestant.

WP: What platform/charitable organization are you supporting during your year of service?
KC: My platform is Arts for a Strong Community.  For the past nine years, I have been a music educator in community-based arts program and I have witnessed the benefits that music, dance, drama, and visual art can bring to a community.  My message is that the arts bring people together from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, provide an outlet for expression, and challenge us to think and problem-solve more creatively. Moreover, funding the arts is a wise investment for communities; for every dollar that a local municipality invests, five dollars on average is returned through taxes.  When the proposed Pennsylvania State budget threatened to cut all funding for Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, I joined with the Council and The Citizens for the Arts in PA to lobby our state legislature to reconsider the cuts.  We held a huge rally at the Capitol and my speech was one of several featured on PCN. Promoting this issue is a wonderful combination of career, service, and pageantry.

WP: What advice would you give a girl who is still competing?
KC: If you love pageantry, never give up!  Even after you “age out” of Miss America or Miss USA there are opportunities to volunteer, judge, direct, mentor, and compete on the Ms. and Mrs. Level. 

WP: Is there anything else you would like to add?
KC: I discovered pageants existed when I was 12 years old and I begged my mother to allow me to enter the Miss Pre-teen Philadelphia Pageant.  Painfully shy, with my big glasses and a mouth full of braces, I took the stage and it changed my life.  Over the years, as I competed, I developed confidence, grace, and the ability to sing for or speak to a room full of people without turning an embarrassing shade of red.  During my Miss America years, I held the titles of Miss Neshaminy, Miss Philadelphia, Miss Keystone (2nd runner up and MAO Community Service Award at Miss PA), and Miss Midstate (top 10 at Miss PA), and I represented Pennsylvania at the National Sweetheart Pageant.  I have been on the Miss Philadelphia committee since 2003 and have judged numerous pageants.  Mrs. Pennsylvania United States 2009 was my first pageant since aging out of the Miss America system in 2002.

Fun Facts:

WP: What is the one item of makeup you can't leave home without?
KC: Lip balm or gloss, especially in the cold winter months.

WP: What is your favorite "cheat" food?
KC: I love to bake brownies. I put one aside for my husband and then I eat the rest!

WP: What song do you play most right now on your iPod?
KC: U2 and Mary J. Blige’s version of “One” 

Want to learn more about Kate?
Blog: http://mrspennsylvaniaunitedstates2009.blogspot.com/
Website: http://www.katecohenvoiceteacher.com

Are you a "Mrs." who is interested in competing?

Siouxzan Moore is looking for contestants for this year’s Mrs. Pennsylvania United States Pageant and she also directs Mrs. Delaware, Virginia, and Maryland, so if you are a married lady living in any of those states, you should compete! 

Please visit Moore Pageant Productions for more information.