2013 Winners' Stories

Winners' Stories 2013

In October 2013, a company director, an accountant and an account manager for Hilton Hotels won the titles Mrs England, Mrs Ireland and Mrs Wales in the first annual Mrs UK World contest. The three beautiful women, who range in age from 25 to 47, all have unique stories to tell about how they overcame their personal obstacles, and what challenges and successes they have had along the way. Here, in their own words, our three beautiful winners share their inspirational stories and how they hope to inspire others...

Mrs England World, Mrs World 1^st Runner-up & Mrs World Fitness 2013 – Robyn Morrison

Robyn is married to her childhood sweetheart. Despite the fame she and her husband have achieved, she has a deep compassion to help the less fortunate. Here’s Robyn’s story in her own words:

I own and run the UK’s largest cheerleading school – Panache Cheer School. We teach cheer and dance, including training the professional cheerleaders for the Superleague. We have our own TV show which was aired in July.

I am involved with the Bradford Council working on the B Active campaign where we target children from underprivileged backgrounds. We sponsor children financially so they can become involved with sports and introduce mentors that can guide them positively and discourage involvement with crime and/or teenage pregnancy. Currently I have 11 children on sponsorship programs with my company Panache Cheerschool and 6 of them are now proud members of my National Cheer Team. I am a mentor to 3 of these teenagers and 2 of them are now successfully studying at university.

I volunteer a lot of my time to a local charity group called NHT who support adults living with learning difficulties. We compete in National cheerleading competitions and we won a bid to compete at the World Cheerleading Championships in Florida. NHT as an organization is amazing for these adults as they get to take part in a mainstream activity usually out of reach for such groups. I go on outings with these adults and help to integrate them into our local community by taking part in projects of a creative nature. This is rewarding and fulfilling for me, especially when we gain acceptance for these people and get them involved in the community.

With my experience in the Police Force and child protection, I decided that I wanted to give back to the community and help in anyway whilst being involved with an organization that I am very passionate about. Being a volunteer for Childline involves working regular volunteer shifts at a call centre. We counsel and speak to children who need an adult to confide in or to offer advice. The most rewarding part of the role for me is that I know I have made a difference to a child’s life. Without me, or any other of the volunteers that give their free time to help children, I know they wouldn’t receive the support or help they need. I have continued to learn a lot about myself through volunteering and participating in ongoing training to learn even more about the issues that affect children and young people. I think Childline is an essential and a brilliant organization.

I am Australian born and am now a UK resident having been in the UK for eight years. I was on 'Neighbours' for 2 years as a policewoman. I also was an undercover cop in Sydney Australia for 8 years. I have lived a varied life being a cop, soap star, businesswoman and beauty queen – including Mrs Galaxy UK 2012 and Europe’s Perfect Women 2013- as well as being married to a famous rugby player but I truly value the time spent helping others and being with my family.

Robyn Morrison was crowned Mrs World England in October 2013 and went on to place first runner up in Mrs World 2013 and Mrs World Fitness 2013. The Mrs World UK organization supports Robyn in her willingness to make a difference to the lives of those less privileged and in need of help. Robyn has an infectious confidence and positivity. Her experiences have ensured that she presents herself well and puts others at ease. Robyn is a compassionate and stunning lady with a smile that lights the room. She is a focused and accomplished businesswoman. She has been happily married to Glenn for 10 years and has two children.

Mrs Ireland World 2013 - Anna Brennan

Anna was determined to walk again. After years of suffering with endometriosis, it became so severe that Anna couldn’t walk. Anna focused herself on finding a cure without the possibility of horrific side effects. Here’s Anna’s story in her own words:

I had always suffered terribly with monthly periods. I said little about it and just carried on with life as best I could. I used to book all holidays and occasions around ‘my dates’. Many friends and family remarked that really I wasn't living properly due to monthly issues.

It got to the point where the pain was increasing daily. It was so severe that I needed crutches to walk. I knew something was wrong and went to see my GP. He thought it was a hip issue, despite knowing my health history. He sent me for X-rays but nothing showed up.

Gerry (my husband) and I decided we should get a second opinion given the severity of the pain that I was enduring. So I went for an MRI scan. The following day I was told I had five ovarian cysts (one of them was of concern as it was 7.2 cm). I needed surgery ASAP to remove them. During the surgery they also removed my right ovary and my fallopian tubes. Afterwards, the surgeon told me I also had a grade-5 endometriosis. I had never heard of it!

At my six-week check up, I was still on crutches!! Absolutely nothing had changed pain wise. I was upset and annoyed. My surgeon said “its the joy of endometriosis” and prescribed the drug Decapeptyl. I went home very disheartened and had a good cry. I looked up the drug and found out that it is given to men with advanced prostate cancer. Side effects included hair loss and weight gain, to name just two.

The above is only part of the story. I could tell so much more as I also went on to have a lower abdominal hernia repair as a result of my missing ovary. I have been left with clips/mesh but I can deal with that.

Gerry suggested I make an appointment with a very well known Dublin nutritionist. When I limped into see her I was pretty sure she would tell me I had a good diet and there was nothing she could help me with. Gerry and I have always eaten well and looked after our bodies by going to the gym, walking, etc. I've never had a weight issue or dieting problems. Boy was I so wrong! It turned out 85% of my diet was wrong. She introduced me to the Endo Diet and a new way of living. I had to cut out so many daily foods like chicken, red meats, chocolate, dairy, all foods containing wheat etc... It turns out that eating the wrong foods actually feeds the disease. I changed my diet and now can manage the pain and symptoms of endometriosis. I have also done a mini course on food nutrition and health and learned so much. The diet is a huge success! Not only can I walk now but I have been able to represent my country at the prestigious Mrs World event as Mrs Ireland. It entailed nearly 2 weeks of events on my feet and a choreographed final show – I couldn’t have done that 3 years ago!

I have many friends with this condition both in Ireland and the UK. It takes discipline to make these changes. But to me there is a very easy simple choice if you want to look your best at all times. I try to pride myself on how I look as I get older and will continue to support and help others as much as possible.

The Endometriosis Association of Ireland tends to support a policy of doctor-administered medicine to ease the symptoms of endometriosis. But I have learnt that there is a better and healthier way. I have never, nor will I, take those awful drugs that the doctors so freely prescribe. I want to help those many women who suffer each month with endometriosis learn how I cured my symptoms and do the same. I would like to see nutritionists leading the way as part of the treatment plan. Ladies need to be taught about diet and food, because you can ease the symptoms or make them worse just by what you eat.

I now know how fortunate I was to have my son and daughter. I don’t want other women to lose out on the opportunity to have children, or to walk, or to have to work their schedules around their monthly period, or have hair loss or weight gain…just because of endometriosis. I'm living proof that ladies must stand up and say 'No to these drugs and yes to a healthy diet and lifestyle'.

And here’s a little bit more about me and my career…Before I took up bookkeeping accountancy work in our own business, I was the manager of three of Ireland’s largest travel agencies. I got to travel all over Europe to grade and rate the accommodation of apartments and hotels in many popular holiday tourist resorts. During this time, I spent my days off visiting unmarried teen mothers and had a chance, through airline sponsorship, to take individual teens shopping for baby clothes before they reached full term. Although I had no training, it went very well for me as I connect with others fairly easy. With all my efforts I was also involved in the Dublin Travel Trade and had many perks including sponsored flights from our national airline Aer Lingus. I was fifteen years in the travel business (yes I miss the buzz of travelling!).

Anna Brennan was crowned Mrs World Ireland in October 2013. The Mrs World UK organization supports Anna in her fight to teach women about endometriosis and curing it naturally through dietary changes. Anna has an amazing story to tell about her life changing events. She is a charismatic lady who you cannot help but like. She is humble, grateful, articulate and extraordinarily kind in her words and actions. Anna is a beautiful lady who carries herself with elegance. She has been happily married to Gerry for 23 years and has two teenage children.

Notes:

Endometriosis (pronounced end - oh – mee – tree – oh – sis) is a chronic and debilitating condition that causes painful or heavy periods. It may also lead to infertility, fatigue and bowel and bladder problems. Around 1.5 million women in the UK are currently living with the condition. Endometriosis can affect all women and girls of a childbearing age, regardless of race or ethnicity.

In endometriosis, cells like the ones in the lining of the womb grow elsewhere in the body. These cells react to the menstrual cycle each month and also bleed. However, there is no way for this blood to leave the body. This can cause inflammation, pain and the formation of scar tissue.

Endometriosis can have a significant impact on a woman’s life in a number of ways, including:

Chronic pain
Fatigue/lack of energy
Depression/isolation
Problems with a couple’s sex life/relationships
An inability to conceive
Difficulty in fulfilling work and social commitments

Source: www.endometriosis-uk.org

Mrs Scotland/Wales World 2013 - Maurisa Coleman

Maurisa has focused her life on being a woman of worth and helping those around her to be the same. Life has not always been easy for Maurisa. However, she has an enviable relationship with her mum who has been her inspiration to become the woman that she is today. Maurisa has achieved her success through building up others to have greater worth. Here’s Maurisa’s story in her own words:

I once said to my mum “who am I anyway? I am no one…important.” But my mum replied to me, “you are Maurisa Selene Samlalsingh.” And now I am Mrs Coleman, a successful career woman, Mrs Wales/Scotland 2013 and the reigning Miss Arabelles Americas. I am a Woman of Worth. I want women to feel worthy and be capable of success.

I took my first job aged 20 washing up dishes at the IBIS London Docklands. Here I decided that I was going to be the very best waitress ever. Four years later I was managing 23 members of staff for one of the highest revenue earning hotels in the Accor UK group. I created a project called Revolutionize and rebuilt an entire team. The individuals in the team were low performers, but through this they became one of the best achieving teams with 93% average occupancy. I now work for Hilton Head Office as an Account Executive. I am the only Executive in my team to have all corporate clients and have the highest over achievement with 158% revenue against target for 2013. I am really proud of myself for my career achievements, not least given my age. But I would never have achieved it without the strength that guides me, a lady most beautiful, my mum.

I wasn’t always so successful or confident. As a teenager, I wasn’t considered very pretty, and struggled to find my place with the segments of girls I schooled with. I often found myself laughed at. I was ridiculed for my dreams to be a model. The more I was mocked the poorer my academic performance became. I lived without either of my parents for 10 years while I went to high school. I learnt to be an adult, to be self sufficient, to find God, to survive alone, and to keep breathing above the surface no matter what.

I live the dream of a woman who can embody both the world of beauty and the world of career success. I am passionate about women who can achieve both without forsaking one. I was determined to walk the catwalk despite the height I lacked and often being told it wouldn’t be possible. In 2013, I graced the catwalk seven times. These included the IF Campaign Against Hunger and London Fashion Week catwalk events.

The catwalk is where I find my release. In February 2013 I was first runner up for the Top Model UK competition and 1st runner up in my very first pageant, Mrs Galaxy. They started me off and I ran with it! I am now currently the face of Bacchanalia Mas Band and Flylander Couture and have appeared at a number of events as Mrs Wales 2013. In November 2013, I went to Mrs World in China and came across the most remarkable women whose very stories realigned my universe and made me so emotional at how much more beautiful the world is knowing that they are there with me, and now scattered across the globe filling their countries with light.

After finding my self worth, I fell in love in February 2009. Against all prior planning to marry when I was age 30, I was married in November of that year. It is a God-sent blessing to find the person who completes you and makes you whole. My mother drove one side of me, and my husband drove the other side that unleashed my soul. In my family I found that I am a Woman of Worth. My worth is amplified by being a woman who has many sides…each side is the side that a member of my family completes.

My dearest wish is to one day be a mother to a girl, just as my mother is to me. My husband and I have planned to adopt, as there are so many children who need parents who are willing to love them. I am all that I am because of the people who love me. Above all else, I hold my family closest to my heart. We are one complete unit, we make decisions together, we do most activities together, we always speak in one voice, we always agree to one direction, we never allow anyone to drive wedges between us, we hold onto each other.

Sadly, not all children have the support of a family like I do and I want to do what I can to help these children find their worth. I believe that all children deserve to have a childhood and their basic needs met. I support the charity Plan International in all their campaigns to eradicate the abuse of innocent young boys and girls. Plan works with developing countries to promote children’s rights and to lift them out of poverty and abuse. My most heartfelt concern, and where I support Plan the most, is their campaign for the rights of girls in developing countries. They fight for these girls to have an education and not be married at 14; not to be blamed by society when they are raped and have their rapists walk away freely; and not to work as children and be sold off because they are girls. I am currently working towards a goal of my own to go to a developing country to help build schools for underprivileged children. I want to teach these societies how amazing it is to have these young girls and boys in it…and how amazing they can be when they have a chance.

Maurisa Coleman was crowned Mrs World Scotland/Wales in October 2013. The Mrs World UK organization supports Maurisa with her passion to help others feel worthy. She embodies determination to help others and herself succeed with a kind heart and a sense of fun. Maurisa has a deep sense of love and appreciation for her family, friends and life’s circumstances and surroundings. Maurisa is a stunning and graceful lady. She is an achiever and has been happily married to Douglas for four years.

Mrs World UK 2011/12 - Juanita Ingram Esq

If you ask Juanita Ingram, Esq., she will tell you she is just an ordinary woman who has experienced some extraordinary blessings. Originally from the USA, Juanita has made the United Kingdom her home where she represents the contemporary global woman with grace, humility & style! A wife, mother of two, attorney, Christian author, actress, speaker, and international beauty queen; this woman of substance has been called a “Modern Day Esther” and is seeking to make a positive impact around the world.

With the innate desire to give back and leave a lasting footprint, Juanita founded Happy To Be You Ministries Inc. (www.happy2bu.org) and often serves as keynote speaker on topics of self-esteem, discovering self-worth and identity through the Word of God, and goal attainment. She is a frequent volunteer for Dress for Success Worldwide, a global charity which focuses on providing the necessary resources to increase self sufficiency and confidence in women transitioning back into the workforce. She was recently hired by the organization to lead the re-launch committee & efforts for the Dress for Success Greater London affiliate.

Juanita also serves as the volunteer Director of the Girls of Greatness UK, a faith-based program which assists young women to develop healthy levels of self-esteem, embracing their unique qualities, and accomplishing their dreams. She has also served as the national cover girl and Champion for Moms for the Best for Babes charity in the US and a Champion for the UK Crohns & Colitis Charity.

Since 2012 she has been engaged on an international book tour with her release of “Winning with Christ – Finding the Victory in Every Experience” and The Wonderfully Made Pals™ series, a multi-cultural Christian children’s book series, with current volumes that include “Kind Kinsley”, “Confident Keynan”, “Generous Gregorio”, .and “Wonderfully Made Wanita”. In 2014, Mrs. Ingram released “Beauty for Ashes: Transforming Testimonies for Every Woman”, which is a collection of powerful testimonies from women all over the world that will be sure to inspire, equip, and encourage readers.

She is also a talented actress and presenter and is signed to the RS Management agency in London, England. She has been a featured guest on numerous radio, TV, and magazine outlets such as The Dove Channel, Focus Today, America’s Morning News, SWAG Kingdom Living Magazine, Madam Noir Magazine, The Christian Enquirer, TTA.tv with Pinewood Studios, The Good News Broadcast and many more. Mrs. Ingram is also the creator, co-director and executive producer of a new Christian docu-reality series – Modern Day Esther (www.moderndayesther.com), which highlights Christian woman giving a different (and Christ-centered) response to life’s drama which is due to be released in summer 2014.

Noted by the Madam Noir publication as one of the Top 7 Black Beauty Queens who used their brains to make a different, Juanita has made history as the first African-American woman to obtain the titles of Mrs. Universe UK 2013, Mrs. Universe E-Vote 2013, Ms. World International 2012, Mrs. Great Britain World 2011, Mrs. US Beauties 2009, and Mrs. Indiana United States 2007. She has been a pageant judge for the Miss Great Britain, Mrs. World UK, UK Dazzling Beauties, and National American Miss Indiana pageant systems.

Mrs. Ingram graduated from Tennessee State University (Cum Laude) where she obtained her Bachelor’s degree in accounting and subsequently received her Jurist Doctorate and MBA from the University of Memphis. She is a licensed attorney in two states in America and is currently obtaining a Masters of Law degree (LLM) from the University of London. Mrs. Ingram has obtained both large firm and in-house counsel experience having successfully practiced law for over 11 years. She runs a virtual boutique law firm (www.ingramlegalsolutions.com) where she provides legal services to select business clients throughout the US.

With regard to her ultimate goal in life she asserts, “I am a firm believer that one person can make a profound impact on the trajectory of a woman’s life both personal and professional. I’ve seen it happen for so many and I’ve had it happen for me. So my goal and desire is simple – I want to be that one person for as many women as God will enable me to be.”

When asked about balancing so many priorities while living here in the UK, Juanita expressed “I would have to say that faith and family are my top priorities and they always come first and in that order. I’ve always enjoyed international travel so moving to the UK was a natural progression for us as a family. It has been one of the best experiences for us all and God certainly had purpose in us relocating to England. It’s been a blessed experience.”

Juanita was crowned Mrs World UK in 2011. The Mrs World UK organization supports Juanita in her many (many many) endeavors. Time spent with Juanita is an absolute pleasure and you leave uplifted and wishing she was your best friend. She is a lady that glows and has a sophisticated style inspired by her American Indian ancestry. In 2014, Juanita and her husband Kynon will celebrate 10 years of marriage. They have two children.