Stories

Abbey’s Story

One word to describe her: Clever

Abbey is an author, motivational speaker, founder of the Miss You Can Do It Pageant, and most known as Miss Iowa USA 2008. She is a lover of travelling and interior design, and is currently working as a medical rep in Chicago.

Abbey has many dreams that she is determined to accomplish. She has big ideas for different business ventures, and wants to eventually make Miss You Can Do It a household name, similar to Miss America. Abbey states that each day she knows she’s not done yet – she doesn’t want to exist, she wants to continue to make history and make a huge difference. She was the first person with a disability to compete in the prestigious Miss USA competition, and now changes the lives of little girls with disabilities through the Miss You Can Do It pageant. Her website states that she refuses to let anyone or anything hold her back, and her motto is “if you can dream it, you can do it.”

To Abbey, inclusion means that we as individuals have to break down the walls that we have set up for ourselves and go after what we want in life. We have to make sure that we are standing up for ourselves. She states that going after what she wants with no hesitation makes her feel empowered. In 2011, Susan G. Komen named her as Most Inspirational Women in America. She cites this as the most amazing and empowering moment of her life.

Through her hard work and her determination to change the world, Abbey has made a huge difference in the lives of so many people. There is no doubt that she will continue to make history.

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100% Included. 100% Empowered.

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