Single Moms Face Discrimination in Pageantry, Sparking Legal Action

A former beauty pageant hopeful is speaking out against the stigma against single mothers after being denied eligibility to compete in Miss America due to having a son. Danielle Hazel has filed a complaint with the New York City Commission on Human Rights, challenging the pageant's "rule" that prohibits women with "legal dependents" from participating.

Danielle Hazel, a mother hoping to pursue her dreams in the prestigious Miss America pageant, faced a disheartening setback when she was informed that she was ineligible due to her status as a single mother with a son. This shocking revelation ignited within her a determination to challenge the antiquated and discriminatory "rule" that prevents women with legal dependents from participating in the pageant.

Hazel's journey towards raising awareness about the stigma against single mothers began with the filing of a complaint with the New York City Commission on Human Rights on September 16th. In her complaint, she boldly requested the removal of the "discriminatory requirement" that served as an obstacle to her aspirations.

Single Moms Face Discrimination in Pageantry, Sparking Legal Action

"When I first learned about it, I was really disappointed," Hazel expresó to Fox News Digital, conveying her initial reaction to the realization that her motherhood would hinder her participation. "I didn't really know that that was a rule. So, it was really shocking to find out."

Hazel's complaint argues that motherhood should not be viewed as an impediment to pursuing a career or fulfilling professional ambitions, which is precisely what winning the Miss America competition entails. "If you're a mom, it's not an obstacle that's in the way," Hazel explained. "It shouldn't be an obstacle."

Single Moms Face Discrimination in Pageantry, Sparking Legal Action

Hazel's six-year-old son, Zion, expressed an immediate negative reaction upon learning of the pageant's rule. "When I told Zion about these rules, he had an immediate gut reaction. He said that these rules are stupid," Hazel said at a press conference. "His sense of fairness at only 6 years old tells him that this is unjust and makes no sense."

Hazel's decision to file a complaint was driven by a deep desire to make a positive impact. "Sometimes it only takes one person," she told Fox News Digital. "I wanted to be able to at least have some kind of impact, even if it wasn't going to be successful. I wanted to at least show that I tried."

Single Moms Face Discrimination in Pageantry, Sparking Legal Action

Hazel's lawyer, Gloria Allred, confirmed that the New York City Commission on Human Rights received her complaint. The organization has initiated the process of serving the complaint to Miss America and Miss World, and Allred indicated that action would be taken soon.

Hazel's struggle against the pageant's rule resonates with a broader societal issue. "On a societal level, I feel like there has been a lot of – I guess it is a stigma against moms but not all moms," Hazel said. "I mean, specifically, if you're a single mom, there's even a bigger stigma, because then there's this idea that somehow you're less than ... somehow you're not as worthy."

Single Moms Face Discrimination in Pageantry, Sparking Legal Action

"Even though you are powerful, and you are capable, you're still kind of seen as your value is less. I don't understand that."

In a statement to Fox News Digital, a representative for Miss America denied the existence of a ban against mothers. "There is no ban against mothers. The only ban is against potential contestants with legal dependents," the statement reads.

However, Allred challenged this claim, asserting that the complaint filed with the NYC Human Rights Commission accurately reflects the situation. "Paragraph 6 of the complaint, for example, is a stunningly false statement. Miss America stands apart from contests such as Miss World. There is no connection to them, and our standards are significantly different," the representative stated.

Allred pointed out the fundamental flaw in the pageant's argument: "To block them from a business opportunity, which is what these pageants are – as well as a social opportunity, economic opportunity – to exclude them simply because of an old stereotype that mothers have to be home with children is wrong."

Allred has successfully challenged similar discriminatory rules in the past. After Andrea Quiroga filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department regarding the Miss California pageant, Miss Universe, the parent organization for Miss California, eliminated its 70-year-old rule against mothers competing.

The fight against discrimination against young mothers in pageantry extends beyond the United States. Veronika Didusenko, a woman who was crowned Miss Ukraine in 2018, was later stripped of her title because she had a son.

"In 2018, I lost my victory in the Miss Ukraine pageant (which is part of Miss World) because I had a young son," she said in a statement at a press conference. "One of the judges at the Miss Ukraine pageant, Bohdan Yusypchuk, pointed at me live on air and said, 'She had a child at the age of 19 and then divorced. I think it's wrong to make such [a] person a role model.'"

Didusenko has since launched the #RightToBeAMother global initiative to combat discrimination against young mothers within the beauty pageant industry. Hazel's complaint and the ongoing efforts of Didusenko and other advocates serve as a testament to the enduring fight for equality and the eradication of discriminatory practices that prevent women from reaching their full potential.