Mrs. U.S. Globe
Louisville’s
Stucker uses her title
to help women in need
By
Helen E. McKinney
Contributing Writer
(March 2006) – At 27 years old, Christy Stucker
was searching for a way to be her best. She found opportunity and motivation
by competing and winning the Mrs. Kentucky Pageant in 2004.
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Photo
by Dolores Couicero Mrs.
U.S. Globe, Christy Stucker of Louisville, says |
“After the birth of my daughter and a cancer scare
resulting in a thyroidectomy, I needed major motivation to get in shape,”
said Stucker.
In August 2003, a tumor was found on her thyroid. At a fairly young
age, Stucker faced the real possibility of thyroid cancer. She met this
challenge head-on and all results returned negative.
“These events have renewed a drive for accomplishing my goals and
overcoming challenges to enjoy life experiences,” said Stucker.
And one of the highlights of her life has been winning the Mrs. Kentucky
Pageant. After her selection as Mrs. Kentucky 2004, Stucker competed
for the title of Mrs. U.S. Globe that same year and placed seventh in
the competition.
One year later, she was invited to compete as Mrs. Kentucky a second
time and won the title of Mrs. U.S. Globe. “Globe is known to lead
the industry in innovation,” said Stucker. The pageant is similar
to others in that it incorporates a competition element, “but Globe
is different in their approach,” she said. There is a Mrs. U.S.
Globe winner and a Mrs. Globe winner.
Mrs. Globe is the largest international pageant for married women. Mrs.
Globe celebrates culture, beauty and charity. The organization’s
goal is to promote cultural awareness, goodwill, tourism awareness and
charitable acts through beauty and competition.
Unlike most pageant competitions, contestants do not compete against
each other with a charitable platform of their choice. Instead, each
contestant is a spokesperson for the Women In Need Foundation (WIN),
an educational outreach program extended to victims of domestic violence.
“This way, instead of doing a little good for charitable organizations
across the board, globe contestants work together for a BIG impact on
domestic violence issues,” said Stucker. In her position as Mrs.
U.S. Globe, Stucker is the national spokesperson for the WIN Foundation.
This year she began a national project for the Win Foundation, “The
Sweet Life for WIN.” Through this project, Stucker hopes “to
bring the sweet feeling of healing to the pains of abuse.”
The Louisville based Dessert Co. has partnered with WIN to donate a
portion of the proceeds of sales generated from their cakes of the month
to WIN. In February 2006, Stucker will be hosting a “Sweet Life
for WIN Dessert Tasting Fundraiser” in Lexington, Ky.
Stucker lives in Jefferson County, Ky., but will be moving to Fayette
County in 2006. She has many friends who live in Oldham County. Along
with her husband, Cory, they have a 3-year-old daughter. Stucker is
a past president of MOMS Club in Louisville.
The main reason Stucker won the Mrs. U.S. Globe competition is because
she really stood out amidst the other contestants. Being a novice in
the pageant industry meant that her look, style and attitude were different
than what is typically displayed in pageant contestants. The 2004 Mrs.
Kentucky Pageant was the first in which she had ever competed.
“I embraced this opportunity with an open mind and decided to take
full advantage of every opportunity I was given,” said Stucker.
Stucker, 28, grew up in Northern Kentucky and attended the University
of Kentucky from 1995-1999. She earned a degree in merchandising, apparel
and textiles. When not fulfilling her Mrs. U.S. Globe duties, she works
as an Independent Merchandising Contractor.
Her client list includes Toys R Us, Duracell, CVS, Kroger, IDT, Meijer,
National Amusements and Warner Bros.
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Photo
by Dolores Couicero Mrs.
U.S. Globe, Christy Stucker of Louisville, says |
“I started the business because I have a passion
for retail display. As my own boss, I am able to pick the projects that
I enjoy most and give them my full attention,” she said.
Stucker makes appearances at least once a week at charitable organizations
and community events. Her Mrs. U.S. Globe prize package included a new
MAC Veneer smile makeover, cash, a trip to China as a special VIP judge,
a trip to Palm Springs, Calif., to compete in the 2006 Mrs. U.S. Globe
competition (July 14-26), a Raymond Weil watch, a gold and diamond Mrs.
U.S. Globe necklace, a full wardrobe collection and a SHOCK Cosmetic
collection.
“Christy competed against 35 delegates from across the U.S.,”
in a 10-day competition held at the Westin Mission Hills Resort in Rancho
Mirage, Calif., said Monica Ulrich, vice president of marketing for
the Mrs. Globe Organization.
Stucker competed in a swimsuit, evening gown and interview competitions.
“There were various other types of events the delegates competed
in, in order to make it into the semi-finals,” said Ulrich.
Stucker’s first thought upon wining the Mrs. U.S. Globe title was
that it was all a dream. She soon realized it was a very real experience.
“This experience has taught me more than I can imagine,” said
Stucker.
She has learned to examine her outlook on “perseverance, timing,
education, priorities, loyalty and simplicity. What I find most important
in life is the love of my family.” Stucker has had many incredible
experiences in the past year, “but nothing beats a day with my
family.”
She looks forward to her families’ future experiences together,
one of which includes the adoption of a child internationally. Stucker’s
parents adopted her sister from China in February 2004 and a second
sister is expected to arrive from China in February 2006.
• For more information to www.mrsglobe.com or www.womeninneed.org.