The Miss Plus Africa Organization was founded by President Joi Onyeukwu and Vice President, and Teiko Dornor as a result of the need to raise funds to promote education and seek global advancement for the African woman. It has been their dream to organise a pageant of this nature, and was born out of the idea to recognise the unique features of the African woman who may have been disqualified in most beauty pageants based on her size.

?With this pageant, we intend to give the young African generation an opportunity to embrace their culture and roots. We intend to help the full figured African woman reclaim her self-esteem and to encourage her take positive steps leading to a healthier lifestyle. We are doing this not just for the pump and pageantry that comes with an event of this nature but for an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of women who are suffering within? states Onyeukwu .

Vice president, Ghanaian plus model Teiko Dornor has her own personal reasons for being part of the event. ?As an African woman, growing up, educated and currently living in the West, I have learnt fast that how I look and what society says I should look like can often differ dramatically. What makes me beautiful? are my hips too big? Is my large bust in Vogue? Is my complexion attractive.

My career as a plus size model has been a blessing, and has made me realise that we must be responsible with our opinions of ourselves, we must celebrate our bodies as well as our heritage, and be proud of who we are? Dornor goes on to talk about her experiences within the modelling industry, ?I have lost count at the number of times I have been to castings, only to be asked whether I was the stylist or make-up artist- because I certainly couldn?t be the model! Or the numerous times I had to defend my job as a plus size model because I was not ?plus? enough to represent.

Sad as it may seem, the reality of the world is that judging others based on looks alone is part of daily life. I am so excited to be Vice President of Miss Plus Africa. It will be held in Maryland USA this August, and its aim is to inspire women everywhere to embrace their God given talents, their inner and outer being, and to celebrate the fact that beauty does not only come in one form?.

African women; intelligent, wise and gifted, this is what our organisation seeks to highlight. Join us to inspire women to live their best lives, and understand that ?plus size? has always been worth celebrating!!!

Joi Onyeukwu and Teiko Dornor

Founders of Miss Plus Africa

For more information or to apply please log onto www.missplusafrica.org