Photographs: Lucas Jackson/Reuters
A victim of racial slurs and messages after being crowned Miss America over the weekend, Nina Davuluri has announced that she will use her position to celebrate diversity through cultural competency.
Nina, 24, has been working on these issues for several years.
She has asked her fans to forward representative thoughts and stories about their experiences on how "we as a nation" can advance cultural awareness.
"I am so proud to be the first Miss America of Indian descent," said Davuluri.
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Miss America Nina Davuluri speaks up!
Photographs: Lucas Jackson/Reuters
"She is not the Miss America of ten years ago and she is not going to be the same ten years down the road. I am so thankful that children watching at home can relate to a new Miss America," she said.
"They can look at me and see that they can break barriers, be who they are and be successful despite their race or socio-economic status. I want to use this opportunity to encourage positive dialogue among all Americans about the ways in which we are all unique and how that makes us stronger as a country," Nina said.
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Miss America Nina Davuluri speaks up!
In a statement, she said people can send information using the hashtag #CirclesOfUnity on Twitter to @MissAmerica, Instagram to @missamericaorg and to Facebook.com/MissAmericaOrganization.
"This year, 13,000 young women began the journey to Miss America. Nina is representative of a new generation of women -- a diverse generation of women -- who are making their mark, through education and community service." said Sam Haskell, chairman and CEO of the Miss America Organisation.
Miss America, with scholarships worth $45 million, is the largest scholarship organisation for young women in the world.
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