Alexis Smith, recently crowned Miss Kansas, has emerged as a powerful advocate for domestic violence survivors following a compelling speech during her pageant. In a dramatic moment during her final interview in June, Smith, dressed in a blue sequined gown, addressed the crowd, revealing that her abuser was present in the audience.
“I’m standing here today despite the presence of my abuser because I, and my community, deserve healthy relationships,” Smith declared, a statement that has since gone viral, with the video receiving over 60,000 views.
Smith, who shared her personal history of domestic violence with KSNW, revealed that every woman in her family, including herself, has faced such abuse. Her own abusive relationship began at 14 and ended around 2018 or 2019. After leaving the relationship, she briefly moved to Texas before returning to Wichita to pursue a nursing degree at Newman University.
As a "bystander, victim, and survivor," Smith is dedicated to advocating against domestic violence. She has launched an initiative called "Respect Reclaimed: Advocating for Healthy Relationships," aiming to promote awareness and prevent unhealthy relationships.
In addition to her advocacy work, Smith, a cardiothoracic intensive care unit nurse who performed a ventriloquism act during the talent portion of the pageant, won $15,500 in scholarship money along with the Miss Kansas 2024 title on June 8. She will represent Kansas in the Miss America competition in January 2025.
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