Last night, 26-year-old Deshauna Barber was crowned Miss USA. Deshauna is an Army officer and IT analyst for the U.S. Department of Commerce. She represented the District of Columbia in the pageant. Deshauna followed in her family’s footsteps and joined the military at the age of 17. She graduated from the Virginia State University in 2011. During the pageant, Deshauna was asked a question about women now being able to serve in all combat positions. Her response? “As a woman in the United States Army, I think it was an amazing job by our government to allow women to integrate to every branch of the military. We are just as tough as men. As a commander of my unit, I am powerful. I am dedicated. And it is important that we recognize that gender does not limit us in the United States Army.”

Photo Credit: REUTERS/Steve Marcus

Deshauna felt like she was shattering molds on both sides by being part of the pageant. She showed that women in the military can still be feminine and participate in events such as these. On the flip side, she showed that women who participate in pageants can be tough leaders. Congratulations to Deshauna, our new Miss USA!