Mallory Hudson is not only our newest Woman of the Week, she is our Miss Kentucky 2023! As Miss Kentucky, Mallory strives to be a positive leader. “I am aware that leadership is earned through a combination of hard work, expertise, and commitment. These are things I work at daily in an effort to make a positive impact throughout the state,” she says.
Mallory has been working on her Community Service Initiative called Inclusive Stages. The goal of Inclusive Stages is to make certain everyone is given opportunities to shine on the stage that is life. Inclusive Stages started as an idea in her head. Mallory says that turning an idea of using theater to create opportunities for individuals with delays and disabilities into programming and initiatives is her biggest accomplishment to date.
Through Inclusive Stages, she has already had many wonderful opportunities to pursue her
goal. Some of these opportunities include: she has had the privilege of teaching acting classes for adults at Down Syndrome of Southern Kentucky, she has written and performed scripts highlighting social dating dos and don’ts for participants in the Kelly Autism Program at Western Kentucky University, she has created and donated sensory kits to make theaters more accessible for those with sensory processing issues, she has created a podcast, Behind the Curtain, about inclusion, and she has also written a children’s book. Her book is entitled Inclusive Stages and it is about a little girl named Vivi Claire who has a diagnosis of Down syndrome; Vivi Claire inspires those around her to work hard and dream big. She has had 150 copies of her Inclusive Stages book printed and distributed as an advocacy effort.
When asked who her greatest influence is, Mallory responded, “My mother, Caroline, has been such a positive influence in my life. She has always motivated me to dream big and to work hard to reach goals. My mom's work as a speech language pathologist in tandem with my love of theater inspired Inclusive Stages. My mom gives all of the individuals she serves in therapy unconditional love, and I believe spreading love is a true driving force for positive change.”
Mallory says the most meaningful advice she received was from her parents. “Prior to leaving for college my parents told me that if I surrounded myself with nine successful people I would become the tenth successful person, and I believe that this message is true. Success often breeds positive vibes and confidence. That has been one of the amazing benefits of competing in the Miss America Organization. I am constantly surrounded by kind, ambitious, and caring women.”
The biggest obstacle Mallory has had to overcome is her fear of failure. “I tend to be a
perfectionist, and I believe my high expectations intensified a fear of failure. I now realize that failure is a natural part of the learning and growth process. Many successful individuals have faced failure and setbacks before ultimately achieving their goals.”
Mallory is currently working with a team of amazing individuals to put on an Inclusive Stages Beauty Showcase on Sunday, November 12. This showcase will be for individuals with delays and disabilities. The goal of the pageant will be to embrace diversity and empower individuals. Events like this help to create a world that embraces diversity and empowers everyone to shine during all stages of life.
Moving forward, Mallory’s goal is to be remembered as a Miss Kentucky who built intentional connections with Kentuckians, advocated for inclusion, led with a servant's heart, and empowered through education. Also, she is a senior at the University of Kentucky. “College graduation is a momentous milestone that I am only a few classes away from accomplishing!”
Most people do not know that Mallory has been in over 40 theatrical productions, including a feature film, Beauty Mark, which was awarded the Best Narrative Feature Audience Award at the Austin Film Festival. “Don't blink, or you will miss me!”
Mallory’s favorite vacation is the beach. “I love the beach! My family and I love traveling to the Florida Keys to snorkel, relax, and eat key lime pie (with every meal, of course)!” she added.
In her free time, Mallory enjoys singing, playing guitar, reading, working out, cheering on the Kentucky Wildcats, spending time with her beloved Goldendoodle Bella, watching a good 'whodunit' film with friends, attending her younger sister’s (McLaine) sporting events, and traveling with her parents (Todd and Caroline).
Mallory is currently reading Daisy Jones & The Six, “and I’ve been listening to a lot of Fleetwood Mac on the road!”
Atop Mallory’s bucket list is adventure and traveling. “I will always select experiences over things. So, traveling throughout Europe and visiting all fifty states is at the top of my bucket list,” she said.
The best way you can follow Mallory's journey as Miss Kentucky is via @missamericaky on Instagram, or Miss Kentucky Scholarship Organization on Facebook.
Comments