Earlier this year, 40-year-old mom of two, Jo Judnick-Wilson, fondly known as ‘Gauteng’s golden girl,’ was crowned Mrs South Africa 2022, taking the title from 2021’s crowned queen, Thenjiwe Mdluli, amongst 23 other contests who participated for the crown this year.
In an interview with Expresso Morning Show about her win, Jo reflects on the powerful sisterhood of Mrs SA contestants and says that empowerment is all about holding hope, and standing up for yourself, so that other women are inspired to do the same.
“Nothing and everything has changed!”
Says Jo, going on to explain that her duties to her family still dominate her every day, just like any other mom and wife. In the same breath, she also notes how her stance in Mrs SA pageant has opened up new doors for her.
“Suddenly I’m being welcomed by places and people who were once way beyond my radar.”
After receiving the crown, Jo made it her mission to identify SA icons and heroes, for young women to look up to.
“Women truly need to understand what they are worth. If they want to make a change they need to invest in themselves.”
Mrs South Africa
As Shakespeare says: “heavy is the head the head that wears the crown.”
Jo Judnick-WIlson says:
“Heavier the heart of a woman who doesn’t believe she’s worthy of one.”
It seems that the world of pageantry in SA is approaching new horizons altogether. The topic of why mothers and wives couldn’t participate in Miss Universe and Miss SA pageants has long been a matter of curiosity and frustration to many.
Now, thanks to a memorandum published by The National, mothers and wives will be allowed to enter the Miss Universe contest from 2023, moving forward.
In light of motherhood restriction, The Miss South Africa Organisation has also remarked that they are ‘reviewing this requirement and hope to implement meaningful change’ in the future.
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Feature Image: Facebook / Jo Judnick Wilson – Mrs South Africa 2022
