On March 11, 2025, the side event Beauty Will Save the World: Advancing the SDGs Through Women and Girls’ Leadership was held at St. Bartholomew’s Church in New York City, organized by the International Association of Youth and Students for Peace, Visionary Empowerment, and Women’s Federation for World Peace USA. Ambassador Isaiah Chabala, former Zambian Ambassador to the UN, opened with a call to redefine beauty as a force for empowerment and sustainable development, emphasizing women’s leadership in advancing the SDGs.
Kaeleigh Moffitt, President of WFWP USA, expanded on the theme of “beauty with purpose,” urging women leaders—both beauty queens and grassroots advocates—to use their platforms for advocacy in education, sustainability, and peacebuilding. The event featured a panel discussion where beauty queens and activists shared how their work aligns with key SDGs, including gender equality, climate action, and social justice.
Panelists highlighted beauty as a vehicle for advocacy, showcasing how pageants and leadership roles can drive meaningful impact. Nagma Shrestha (Nepal) and Siria Ysabel Bohorquez (USA/Italy/Mexico) discussed integrating sustainability and education into global beauty competitions, while Eunmi Rangala Maddox (Kenya/USA) and Simone Doroski (USA) spoke on bridging grassroots activism with global influence. Rev. Dr. Chloe Breyer (USA) emphasized interfaith collaboration in advancing gender equality. The event concluded with a call to action, advocating for the integration of SDG commitments into beauty pageant criteria, mentorship programs, and interfaith partnerships. Ultimately, the discussion reinforced that beauty—when aligned with purpose and leadership—can be a powerful catalyst for social change and sustainable development.
