A woman of Positive Influence & A Woman Of Meaning :
So encouraging seeing such a young woman going out there and doing things for the benefit of their communities. One such woman is the lovely Michillay Brown. She is a 23 year old Environmental Sciences student at the University of South Africa, currently completing the final semester of her degree. She was born in Johannesburg and currently lives in Melville with her mom and older sister. More than being close to her family, and a dedicated student, she has found the time to also be a research volunteer at Greenpeace Africa, a Nature Conservation Volunteer at Melville Koppies Nature Reserve as well as a part-time Environmental Educational Officer at Delta Environmental Center. She has also recently been announced as an official television presenter for TMTVSA and The Miss Earth South Africa Ambassador for 2014/2015; representing the element Water.
And while she is not busy with that, she still makes time for her passions which include being a level 5 ballet dancer with the Royal Academy of Dance; she has been doing ballet since she was 3. She also enjoys nature travelling, new outdoor experiences and consistently enjoying the Word received at Rivers Pentecostal Church, all with my very special significant other.
We at The Legacy of True Beauty took the time to get to know this phenomenal woman.
What does being a woman mean to you?
Being a woman is about empowering other women and children. The character of a woman is such a vital role on this earth that as women we need to learn to continuously support one another, strengthen one another and celebrate each other’s successes. There is a lack of sisterhood in a society where both men and women are striving to achieve the same goals, the same title and the same salaries. Now although that may very well be accomplished, in doing so let us not forget those that help us climb our ladder to success, let us not forget to extend a helping hand to fellow women. Being a woman means we instinctively show compassion, let us show compassion for those who need it most. I believe in being a strong, decisive and independent woman… but I also believe in the strength of love, the importance of a communal attitude, and through love for the very next person we can gain our independence through interdependence. Being a woman means being graceful, elegant, and having a sense of mystery to one’s character, a woman should remain untouchable and yet approachable, always revealing more mind than body.
How do you define beauty?
Beauty is defined by ones character and presence. Absolutely anyone can exude beauty through the way they carry themselves, the message they portray through their physical work and through their humility. The fruits produced from hard work, growth and humility… that to me is beautiful.
Tell us about The Miss Earth South Africa Leadership Program
The Miss Earth South Africa programmes truly and honestly was and is a life changing experience. The programme not only challenged and tested my abilities to do things outside of my day to day comfort zone; from fundraising, to planting hundreds of trees and implementing food gardens and classroom upgrades in underprivileged areas, to calling companies to gain sponsorship for my local community upliftment programs, hosting educational workshops for schools, and speaking about Environmental awareness to hundreds of people.
Aside from the nature of it being a competition, the most evident aspect was that through shared compassion and value for our earth, I met the most amazing friends and role models. Being as busy as I am and studying through correspondence I found it difficult to make time to make new friends before, and yet through Miss Earth South Africa I made some incredible personal connections and even after the announcement I am very close to some of the girls and we actually hang out and take part in social and charity events together.
Ultimately being a Miss Earth Ambassador has made me become more confident in my abilities to do more for society and for our environment, it has made me more confident in my personal life and has opened up my eyes to all the possibilities of me attaining all my lifelong goals and dreams. The experience shaped me into a growing young woman; it made me gain independence through interdependence.
What challenges have you faced while being part of this program?
As mentioned before; the challenge of being placed out of my comfort zone in certain situations truly was a test of character, of will power and ambition. I wanted to make my family and my late father proud throughout the Miss Earth journey and that is what kept me going through all the tough times.
The competition is based on getting the work done, and often people have the wrong idea about Miss Earth, it is not a beauty pageant at all… girls were allowed through to the next rounds based on the intensive interactive personal projects that we had to complete, that being said, the physical labor, long hours and sponsorship attained was not always easy to do. One thing I learned through it all, is that environmental issues bring people together, and I saw that first hand.
I received so much help from family members and friends, from affiliated Green companies and from strangers, all these people met me and it took very little convincing for them to see that I was passionate about what I was doing and that I wanted to persist and see my journey through, to make my mark and genuinely make a change in my community.
Dividing my time was also a major challenge and sacrifice; between school, my commitments and my relationships, I certainly had to prioritize appropriately. I would not have had it any other way, I became full engrossed in Miss Earth and I loved every single moment of it.
Who are some of the women who inspire you?
There are so many phenomenally incredible women in our country that I find it very difficult to answer this question. However I will base my answer on time spent watching the every move of a very important woman. First and foremost my mother (now as cliché as the response may be, it is truly her values instilled in me that has shaped me into the woman I am becoming). My mother is a single mother that has always headed the household since we were young, not only is she the definition of successful independence but she also represents a gentle strength, which I strive to represent. A woman that has worked so hard to make sure we never lack in the home, to make sure I went to the best schools and to find a way even in the toughest times. She has proved time and time again that a woman’s capability surpasses gender, race or family background. She has also taught me that as women we are capable of being educated, beautiful, ambitious, hard workers and nurtures.
A “celebrity” I would spend a day with and why?
We use the word “celebrity” so lightly in this day and age. I would like to rather use the term “Role Model”, as I believe a platform or title is a pure blessing that needs to be used in order for those younger than us to aspire to be as successful in the correct manner. Now, although I could mention a global pop star/public figure, there is someone I consider a multi-faceted role model, and a dynamic and influential communicator close to home, Pastor Andre Olivier, senior pastor of Rivers Church. I would gain surreal wisdom and leadership skills from spending a day with a mass influential figure such a pastor Andre Olivier; whom not only runs two campuses but preaches globally and touches lives week by week with an excellently delivered service. Having had such a massive impact in shaping my thinking as a young adult in just over a year, I have been absolutely fascinated and intrigued by his work ethic, his genuine spirit and his ability to stand up and be the voice of Christianity to thousands of followers.
What is your ultimate goal for the Miss Earth journey ahead?
My reign as a Miss Earth Ambassador officially extends over for a year, a year of pure greatness! This is my time and I want to make the most of it. My goal within the next year is to reach out to as many schools and mass crowds as possible in order to carry this Green revolution that is upon us. Ultimately I want to use my gift as a public speaker/presenter and use it to be the voice for Mother Earth. My goal is to influence the youth in the greatest way possible, by showing them that becoming involved in the green movement is not only something that is critically mandatory but can be something that I can make fun and “cool
Where to from here?
There is nowhere else to go but UP!! II will be proudly representing Miss Earth South Africa and continuing my work as an Ambassador, as I said before it is more than just a title it is my lifestyle! I will soon be attaining my four year degree in Environmental Science, an absolute milestone my life and I plan to further my studies. I am in the midst of my training to become an Environmental Educator at Delta Environmental Center in the new year, further stimulating my passion for environmental education. I have also recently been announced as an official presenter for a brand new international channel called TMTVSA, founded and produced by L.A producer Christian Amougou and my manager Kimberleigh Stark (Stark Raving Management), be sure to check out www.tmtvsa.co.za. I plan to get involved in many more projects and creating many more opportunities through putting myself out there and getting actively involved.
Advice for young ladies out there?
We have such a limited time on this earth and I would advise young ladies and men to get actively involved in the areas that you are passionate about, build your brand in association with that very same passion and realize that we are not living life for merely ourselves, we need to live more selflessly. I learned that we need to realize that in everything we do we must live by an ethos that we are doing that thing, no matter what it may be, we are doing it to help someone else. Another important piece of advice I would like offer to young ladies is that it is incredibly important to surround yourself with the right people, surround yourself with people that push you academically first and foremost and people that you aspire to be like and learn from them daily. That is how I have continued to live my life, surrounding myself with greatness to become a better version of myself. I developed my character as a leader through watching other leaders. Young ladies need to find appropriate leaders in their lives to aspire to be like, not to aspire to merely have the materials/exterior that they have but to possess the character and aura of a leader.
- Compiled and edited by:
Malebo Moloto
#TLOTB Features Writer
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