Miss America 2024 and US Air Force pilot Madison Marsh is currently in the UAE, on a mission to shatter stereotypes surrounding women, the military, and pageantry. Her goal is to encourage females in the country to pursue their dreams and aspirations.
The stereotype of “beauty and brains” has long been restrictive and problematic. However, Madison is a living testament that intelligence and beauty can manifest in diverse ways. By merging these traits into a single phrase, we often overlook the myriad ways individuals express their worth. At just 23 years old, Madison is traveling the world to inspire women while advocating for military careers. She is also pursuing her Master’s degree in public policy at Harvard University. Notably, she completed her first solo flight as a private pilot at the age of 16.
‘Giving back’ was a recurring theme during her speech at the WE Empower Summit in Dubai. Madison emphasized, “At the Kennedy School, the motto was always to ask what you can do for others… and giving back. I love the idea of this new digital age. Social media has immense power, especially as a role model for young women. Maybe someone doesn't have an immediate person in their household to inspire them. But if you can be open on social media, like I can now show young girls, that you don't have to give up your femininity to wear a uniform. You don't have to give it up to be Miss America, to be in the STEM field, to be in aviation—women can do anything and everything.”
Madison highlighted that being an officer requires a well-rounded individual. “Education and life experiences certainly prepare you for a leadership role in the military. Attending school, interacting with people from different cultural backgrounds, and experiencing mass diversity from across the country and the globe at Harvard has equipped me to take those experiences and apply them when I become a leader after this year.”
Studying physics has opened numerous doors for Madison. She believes that involvement in the STEM field, regardless of one’s career path, provides a significant advantage. “Being in the STEM field, whether or not you choose a career in STEM, is a ‘door opener’ because I learned from an early age to persevere through the difficulties of studying hard science and how it applies to other fields. Now, as I study public policy at Harvard, I can use all those critical thinking and problem-solving skills. I get to apply physics in policy in the medical field, which is really nice to see.”
Madison, who received over Dh257,110 ($70,000) in tuition scholarships from her state and Miss America competitions, is dedicated to raising awareness for pancreatic cancer after losing her mother to the disease at the age of 17. Through her community service initiative, she aims to increase awareness of pancreatic cancer and promote research efforts. “My mum passed away from pancreatic cancer when she was 41 years old, about six years ago. She didn't have any warnings; it was a shock to her family. She was the epitome of health. Afterwards, we started the Whitney Marsh Foundation in her honor, raising funds and awareness for pancreatic cancer patients across America.”
Considering the intersection of medical research and the STEM field, Madison highlighted that during her senior year of college, she focused on artificial intelligence and its connection to pancreatic cancer research. “That’s one way we’re intersecting both fields because early detection is crucial for new cancer patients. I’m not going to medical school, but I do love the patient advocacy aspect that was significantly lacking when my mum battled pancreatic cancer. I want to work to ensure policies, research, and federal funding are in place so people can survive.”
