Miss America Grateful for Time as Air Force Officer: ‘Just Wonderful’
By Movieguide® Contributor
22-year-old Madison Marsh has made history as the first active duty Air Force officer to hold the title of Miss America.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, she shared, “I love to think about all the women who have come before me. I’m not the first person in the military to do something like this. I think about all the first women to join the Air Force, to fly planes, to fly in combat, to go to the Air Force Academy, who’ve taken chances. Now, I’m lucky to be a very small part of this history, to show other young women that you really can do anything.”
Marsh took to Instagram last month after her Miss America win.
“America, I’m all yours ?? We made history last night as the first military member to win Miss America. Here’s to showing the world that women can do anything,” she began. “All of the women I competed with are the most kind, intelligent, talented, and passionate people I have ever met. I could write pages about each of them, so go see for yourself how amazing they are. I have no doubt that they will be leading in every corner of America whether it be in philanthropy, politics, business, or more.”
Before the Air Force or Miss America, Marsh’s original plan was to be an astronaut.
“I wanted to be an astronaut for about eight years until a year or two ago,” Marsh said. “But then I discovered the Air Force Academy, and it immediately sparked my interest. Obviously, I don’t want to be an astronaut anymore.”
“When it comes to the Air Force, there’s the camaraderie, the family that is created out of joining the armed forces. It’s phenomenal. It’s something that I didn’t realize I was yearning for,” she shared. “I now have people all across the nation that I could call and would have my back just because of being in the military. My path has changed significantly over the past several years – but it’s all been just wonderful.”
She hopes to encourage others to try new things.
“You can achieve anything. The sky is not the limit and the only person that’s stopping you is you,” Marsh said.
Movieguide® previously reported on Marsh:
Madison Marsh, a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force, was just crowned 2024’s Miss America.
“Congratulations to our very own #Airman, 2nd Lt. Madison Marsh, aka Miss Colorado — who was just crowned @MissAmerica 2024! Marsh is the first active duty servicemember to ever win the title,” the U.S. Air Force wrote.
“I’m very excited to get to represent women who can break stereotypes,” Marsh said, per GOOD MORNING AMERICA.
She added that she is excited to share “what it means to be a member of the military community and Miss America.”
