Richmond native and public relations graduate, Danielle Mullins, ’20, started out in the pageant world as a young girl who loved glamor. On Jan. 8, Mullins was crowned Miss Earth USA 2023.
“With a personal mission to serve and empower others, I realized that pageantry is an opportunity to fulfill my life’s purpose and kept with it,” Mullins said. “My passions are based around improving our planet so when I found the Miss Earth organization, I knew I had found my pageant home.”
As a part of her outreach, Mullins will be starting a We Clean Trails chapter in Louisville, hosting community clean ups, visiting schools across the country and sharing ways to help the environment. As a #MeatlessMonday ambassador, she plans to work with restaurants to create more plant-based menu options. Additionally, with Wands for Wildlife, she’ll be advocating for fellow makeup artists and makeup enthusiasts to properly recycle their used mascara wands, helping to protect wildlife.
“I’m so fortunate to have made friendships and memories that will last a lifetime. Winning this title is the icing on the cake,” Mullins said. “I don’t think a day has passed that I haven’t teared up at the thought of my dream finally coming true. It has truly been a journey of overcoming obstacles but each one led me here, and I am so grateful.”
Representing the United States, Mullins will compete in Vietnam for Miss Earth 2023 this fall.
By Sarah Bashford
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