Bismah Ahmed, a Pakistani American, is the new Miss District of Columbia. She now has a shot at becoming Miss America when the competition is held in August.
Ahmed, the first South Asian Muslim to win the Miss DC for America crown, spoke to SEEMA about her Pakistani heritage, her road to Miss Washington DC and what that win means to her.
Tell us about a little about your background, Miss Ahmed?
My parents are both from Pakistan. My mom went to college in Turkey and then came here. My dad came here when he was in elementary or middle school, so he was younger. Yeah, so then they met after college and got married. And they’ve always been in Virginia.
How was it growing up in Virginia when for most South Asian kids it’s really challenging?
It was very challenging. You have to find a balance. You don’t want to disrespect culture in any way. You want to honor that. But then you also want to fit in to this society you’re growing up, especially when you’re born here. It can be confusing. Like with everybody’s journey, you find yourself and what’s true to you and how you want to make that balance.
What causes do you want to amplify during your reign?
One of the big things that I’m advocating for is diversity and representation, diversity and beauty – making sure that people who look like us are out there too, because we’re part of the community.
You have a full-time day job. Tell us about it and your other interests?
I work for the Apartment and Office Building Association. I started working for them seven years ago. I am a lobbyist. I am in politics. I’m the Vice President of Government Affairs for Virginia. Then I won Miss DC, which is really cool. I’m the first South Asian, Pakistani person to win. I think it’s really great to get the awareness, which I’m excited to do.
When did you realize you were interested in the glamour world and that you could be part of it?
Actually, I didn’t sign up for Miss DC until two months before the competition. I got the call while I was in my busy session for work. And I was, like, I guess I’ll do it. I’ve never done anything like this before. So it was very unexpected. It came out of nowhere.
How supportive were your parents in you entering the Miss DC competition, your choice of pursuing a career in beauty and glamour?
There was a lot of misinterpretation on what it actually is, how I’m presenting myself and all of that. But once we had that conversation, there was more understanding. You know, because I’m really going out there representing my culture. I definitely am more covered up than everybody else.
You are the first South Asian Muslim Miss DC? What does that mean to you, especially as a Muslim?
I think it means that our voice is heard nationally. And I think that there is that representation that you keep talking about, it’s like we’re part of this community, we are here. We should have a voice. This is an unexpected way to do it. But even in politics, I usually work with older white men. I’m very diverse in my politics, where I’m a minority woman. It was really hard to break into that field and get people to take you seriously when you are so different. But I think that it’s our responsibility to kind of break the mold.
What are your thoughts on tokenism in the fashion world? Do you think we, as South Asians, are filling in to complete the color palette?
I think that we are getting there. I think there is a lot of work to be done. For example, there was another Muslim that competed, and she was a hijabi. Her name was Halima. And now, you know, she has made national headlines because she was covered up and she was different. There are people going into the beauty field and breaking those barriers. And they’re being noticed. I think that once more people start going into these fields or getting noticed, it’s gonna become way more normalized.
How’s the preparation coming along for Miss America in August?
It’s been interesting. I think that there’s so much work and I have to work with designers and all of that. It’s really cool. I also have a lot of support from friends and family. So they’re helping me out a lot and helping me make my dresses, and stitch those dresses out for me… just helping me go through all the work. Some of my friends are makeup artists, they’re doing my makeup for all my events… Hairstylists… It takes a whole team. But I’m so proud that I have so much support.
What’s that one thing that you’re really anxious about for the competition?
I don’t know if I’m anxious about it. I’m excited to bring that diverse take that nobody else will bring. But I guess anxious [about] maybe walking in heels.
It’s a great platform. What are the issues you want to address using this platform?
My concern also is affordable housing. I’m a seven-year lobbyist for the housing industry. I think we need more money, especially in the DMV, for affordable housing. This is something that I advocate for every single day. I talk to politicians about this. We need to make sure our federal and state funding for housing is there. That’s something that I’m very passionate about.
Name an inspirational woman who you consider a role model?
There are so many women that I feel like I need… It’s hard to come up with one specifically. I think my mom is a role model for me. She’s been through a lot in her life and has overcome a lot. Just seeing that example has helped me become who I am today.
Miss DC for America Loves
- Favorite show – “Bridgerton”
- Favorite movie – Superhero movies, Marvel movies. Avenger movies.
- Favorite outfit – A suit.
“I know that sounds crazy. But having a fun suit is my favorite thing.”
