Last month, Maria Gabriela Isler of Venezuela was crowned Miss Universe— the 62nd woman to be crowned with the prestigious title since the competition was founded in 1952.
And while the Miss Universe crown represents one of the most honorable of all beauty titles, hundreds of pageants take place all over the world each year.
Throughout the past 60 years of Miss Universe and Miss USA competitions, former beauty queens have gone on to have successful careers — journalists such as Oprah Winfrey and Diane Sawyer, Oscar winners like Halle Berry, many leaders in philanthropy, and more.
Check out the former beauty queens who are doing their parts to change the world.
Miss Kansas Theresa Vail looked like the average contestant when she competed in Miss America this year.
But during the swimsuit segment, this army sergeant became the first contestant to ever expose her tattoos.
Miss Kansas Theresa Vail was only the second contestant in the military to ever compete in Miss America, and altough she didn't win, she placed in the top 10.
She's also an expert M16 marksman, a bow hunter, a skydiver, a boxer and a mechanic, according to People.
Vail also became the first contestant to showcase her tattoos during this year's competition.
"Why am I choosing to bear my tattoos?" Vail says. "My whole platform is empowering women to overcome stereotypes and break barriers. What a hypocrite I would be if I covered my ink. How can I tell other women to be fearless and true to themselves if I can't do the same? I am who I am, tattoos and all."
Lauren Nelson won the Miss America crown in 2007 and used her title for a good cause ...
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