Alexis Smith, a 25-year-old from Butler County, made headlines when she was crowned Miss Kansas on June 8, 2024. Her triumph over 25 other contestants was not the only reason she caught the public’s attention. During the pageant’s interview portion, Smith delivered a powerful and personal message that resonated deeply with many.
A Powerful Message
Smith used her platform to address a significant issue: unhealthy and abusive relationships. She boldly declared her mission as Miss Kansas to “eliminate unhealthy and abusive relationships.” In a shocking revelation, she stated, “Some of you out in this audience saw me very emotional because my abuser is here today.”
Despite this challenging revelation, Smith stood firm, asserting, “But that’s not going to stop me from being on this Miss Kansas stage and representing as the next Miss Kansas. I and my community deserve healthy relationships. We deserve a domestic [violence]-free life.”
Advocacy and Impact
Smith shared a clip of her poignant remarks on Instagram and Facebook, tying them to her platform, “Respect Reclaimed.” In her post, she described how her journey took an unexpected turn when someone she had been healing from attempted to disrupt her peace. Rather than retreating into silence, Smith chose to embody her vision for a better world, reclaiming her power not just for herself but for her dreams and everyone watching and listening.
Viral Moment
On July 16, a video of Smith’s on-stage declaration was shared on her official X account, quickly going viral with over 67,000 views. The widespread attention highlighted the importance and urgency of her message.
Personal Journey and Advocacy
As a cardiothoracic ICU nurse, Smith is opening up more about her past. She revealed to KSN that every woman in her family has been impacted by domestic violence. Smith’s own experience began at age 14 with an abusive relationship that lasted until around 2018 or 2019.
Emphasizing the significance of the Miss Kansas Organization in her life, she explained, “I took advantage of the Miss Kansas Organization, which truly focuses on empowering women. And me, being a woman who needed that empowerment all my life, being a bystander to domestic violence, a victim, a survivor, and now an advocate as well as a young woman who is educationally driven, I have the opportunity not only to share my story on such a large scale but also go back to school.”
Focus on Advocacy
Smith has not publicly named the individual she referred to as her abuser, choosing instead to focus on her advocacy and healing journey. Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of addressing and combating domestic violence and the strength required to reclaim one’s life and voice.