For Delaware County nurse Radhika Patel, the Miss World competition is different from other beauty pageants, writes Tracy Romero for PhillyVoice.

“It is a common misconception to call it a beauty pageant, but their motto is ‘Beauty with a Purpose,’” said Patel. “Every girl is beautiful, but what is your purpose in life?”

This phrase drew the 24-year-old nurse in the emergency department at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital in Darby to apply and subsequently compete in the Miss World 2017 competition in Orlando last August.

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“They really work on advocating and encouraging the girls to get involved in their own communities and to pick a cause they believe in,” said Patel.

Her goal is to use the platform to bring attention to the lack of access to a proper education for many children in third-world countries.

During the contest, Patel also got the chance to meet the winner of Miss World 2016, Stephanie Del Valle, who impressed her with her philanthropic work.

“She was showing me pictures and telling me stories about how she visited orphanages and nursing homes in third-world countries,” said Patel.

Read more about Radhika Patel’s Miss World journey at PhillyVoice by clicking here.

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