Miss Stamford

Official page of Leah Juliett, Miss Stamford 2023.

04/13/2022

Thank you to Post University for having me last night for an incredible evening of poetry and storytelling. I had the opportunity to read poems from my book, Naked in Public, while telling the stories behind the poems and having important conversations about identity, abuse, and activism. Thank you to the English Department and the LGBTQ+ Affinity Group for having me, and a special thank you to Lucia Dressel for organizing the event and supporting me.

Tonight I’m speaking at Central Connecticut State University’s “Take Back The Night” virtual event, and next week I’m keynoting at the National Political Science Honor Society induction ceremony at Western Connecticut State University. And don’t forget about my panel with the Cyber Abuse Task Force of New York City at the end of the month! There’s lots happening and I’m grateful to be freelancing while continuing to work in the tech industry.

TLDR; the work isn’t over. It’s just begun. Stay tuned.

04/10/2022

I want to give a shoutout to my good friend and our Miss Congeniality Sierra O’Keefe. Sierra is the epitome of grace, class, and kindness. I love her and her family, who allowed me to share several meals with them throughout the week, very much! Thank you Sierra for your friendship and congratulations on your well-deserved award 💖

04/10/2022

My dear friend. Last year in our hotel room, you told me that it was going to be me and you holding hands as the Top 2 candidates and that one of us would be Miss Connecticut. Last year wasn’t our year, but when it finally happened today it was the most incredible full circle moment of our friendship. You were the first person I called when I considered getting involved in the Miss America Organization, and you’ve supported me whole heartedly from the very beginning. I couldn’t imagine sharing the beautiful moment we experienced together tonight with anyone else. Witnessing you achieve your dream is something I will never forget. I am tremendously proud of you and cannot wait to champion you this year. Thank you for being a champion for victims of violence and abuse. The world needs the love you provide. I love you.

04/08/2022

Check out this beautiful class of empowered candidates ✨ I’m incredibly inspired by each of these women doing bold, important work in their communities and advocating for issues that matter most to them. They’re kind, they’re talented, they’re extremely funny — and they’re all worthy of great things and bright futures.

This afternoon we kick off our interview phase of competition, and I’m wishing all of my friends tremendous success in speaking their truths and conveying their stories to the judges.

Supporting each other never gets old. Pass it on.

📸

04/08/2022

Thank you to our generous sponsors for providing products for our candidate gift bags! One of the best parts of being a candidate is working with brands that align with my values and the values of the Miss Connecticut Scholarship Organization. These brands are no joke about supporting our empowerment and advocacy initiatives. Please give them your support as they support us!

Sponsors mentioned ::

Thank you all for your incredible support of our 2022 class of candidates ✨

04/07/2022

I’m feeling exhilarated heading into rehearsal at the Cabaret Theatre. Last night’s arrival ceremony was an awesome opportunity to reconnect with friends (like my friend ) and learn more about the week ahead. I’m ready to head into rehearsals representing the trans community on my chest and in my heart 🏳️‍⚧️

Thank you to for having us and being so accommodating this week.

Let’s do this! 💪🏼💪🏽💪🏾💪🏿

04/06/2022

And we’re off ✨ My dad and I have packed up the car and are en route to for the competition! I’m feeling an overwhelming sense of pride, joy, and excitement as we prepare for the 93rd to be crowned this weekend — a moment that I never envisioned I would be a part of if you had asked me 10 years ago.

Before rehearsals and competition week get in full swing, I wanted to take a moment to thank all those who have helped me prepare and hone my skills for this moment. Whether you helped me with a mock interview, donated to my Spotfund fundraiser, purchased an ad, or let me call you to talk through my excitement, I am incredibly grateful for the time and energy you’ve given me and the support you’ve shown me. The number of supportive messages I have received throughout the year from both friends and strangers has been staggering, and I am overwhelmed by your graciousness and belief in my mission and my values.

I’ll be checking in throughout the week and can’t wait to let you in on the behind the scenes of this historic competition.

Until then, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

“I am deliberate and afraid of nothing.”

Let’s do this.

04/05/2022

Tomorrow, I leave for the competition at Mohegan Sun. Today is a day for reflection and gratitude. Please, share a cup of coffee with me as I talk through some of the emotions that I’m feeling as I mark 10 years since my first time competing as a teen in the Miss Connecticut Scholarship Organization.

I’ll let this video speak for itself, but I could not be more grateful for your support and for the ability and privilege to make a dream that my younger self didn’t dare to dream come to fruition. I’m honored to represent the LGBTQ+ community and all those who have felt historically marginalized as my full, authentic self.

I’ll see you tomorrow, my friends 💖🦋

04/04/2022

Feeling strong and confident after speaking on Australian news for the first time this morning!

, Australia’s most watched news network, had me on their daily podcast this morning to discuss my experience with tech-based abuse. You can listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!

I’ve had the honor of speaking internationally before on primetime television and in print, but it’s always incredible to tell my story in a new country — especially on a network with millions of daily viewers. I’ve been blessed with so many cool opportunities to facilitate social change on the subject of tech abuse.

Speaking on the global news circuit professionally has prepared me for the job of by equipping me with the skills to convey my message and tell my story to citizens around the world. I’ve never been more prepared to interview for the job of , and to head into a year of interviews and press opportunities that will move the needle to and stomp out internet harassment.

Thank you for having me!

04/04/2022

I’m thrilled to have four upcoming events that I will be speaking at in the next few weeks — and if awarded the job of , I’ll get to attend these events with an exciting new title!

✨ On April 12, you can join me at Post University for a discussion on gender identity and a reading from my book Naked in Public.

✨ On April 13, join me virtually for the annual Take Back the Night event at Central Connecticut State University, raising awareness for campus sexual assault prevention. I’ll be reading one of my poems!

✨ On April 26, I’ll be speaking on a panel for the New York City Cyber Abuse Task Force, sharing my story of cyber sexual abuse with lawyers, litigators, and New York City politicians.

✨ On June 2, join me at the Square Foot Theatre in Wallingford for an evening of music in celebration of the Connecticut Gay and Le***an Chamber of Commerce Foundation. I’ll be performing poetry and singing!

Each of these events hits on one of the important elements of my identity — speaking out about gender, performing poetry, and advocating against cyber abuse. I hope you’ll join me (as 🤞) for these events, as well as the exciting upcoming year of events hosted by the Miss Connecticut Scholarship Organization!

It’s week. We’re just getting started 💪🏼💪🏽💪🏾💪🏿

04/03/2022

We did a lil chop 💇🏻‍♀️

It was such a full circle moment yesterday when I returned to Kreations Beauty Salon in Waterbury and Tona worked her magic to make my hair ready.

Tona was my original hair sponsor 10 years ago when I served as Miss Greater Waterbury’s Outstanding Teen — and now she’s celebrating 10 years of owning her own salon!

Listen, I’ve always talked about how physical appearance is the least important aspect of preparation for . But feeling your best helps you to show up as your best — and Tona has always made me feel my best self.

The countdown to arrival is on :: 3️⃣ days until Mohegan!

I love you, keep going.

04/01/2022

On Tuesday evening, our candidates were invited to a webinar hosted by The National Alliance on Mental Illness () to discuss the importance of prioritizing mental health. As someone who publicly talks about living loudly with mental illness, I found this webinar to be both critical and necessary during this unique time in our lives as we experience both the pressure, anxiety, and excitement that comes with competing in a state competition.

After the webinar, I recorded this TikTok as a reminder to all those struggling with mental illness or dealing with a tough time that you are deserving of grace and wired for hope.

As we head into the weekend, I wanted to remind you that my DMs are always open and you are always welcome to reach out to me to talk.

I love you, I’m so glad you’re still here. Stick around 🦋

03/30/2022

We’re officially one week away from the morning I will pack up my car and drive to Mohegan Sun for the competition ✨ I can’t believe it.

This photo from last year doesn’t do a good job of encapsulating all of the emotions that I was feeling on that day last April, so I wanted to take a moment to let you in on the truth behind this picture.

Behind every poised, prepared, confident image of me is a healthy amount of nervousness. No matter how prepared you are, no matter how many times you’ve practiced your talent or answered interview questions, you will feel nervous when the day comes that you’ve been waiting for. In this photo, I was on the verge of tears, aching with excitement, bursting with energy, and navigating the uncertainty of what was to come. The truth is that every candidate in the Miss America Organization, no matter how carefully crafted their social media posts are, will feel nervous on the day that their state competition starts and this photo is taken. And guess what? You should!

We’ve all put so much effort, care, and passion into preparing for the moments that are to come. Not knowing what will happen is scary. But discomfort is where the learning happens. So, for the next week leading up to arrival, I’m going to ground myself in the knowledge that any nervousness I feel is the universe giving me the opportunity to learn something.

The suitcases, the sash… they’re all just accessories. The real prize is YOU. And you’ve been here all along. Win or lose. You get to stay.

I love you. See you soon ✨

03/29/2022

Friends, I’m honored to be on the leaderboard for our Miss Connecticut Spotfund fundraising campaign! All of the funds raised through my Spotfund platform go directly towards scholarships for the candidates competing on April 9th. I was fortunate to be able to donate $500 in proceeds from my book sales to my fundraiser, and also have received generous donations from friends, family, and supporters like you. If you’d like to help me continue to fundraise for this organization that means so much to me, you can click on the gold “donate” button on my website, which is linked in my Instagram bio. I’d be extremely appreciative ❤️

The Miss Connecticut competition is coming up quickly and your help and support is invaluable to me. I would love to see you in the audience supporting me at the competition on April 9th. Seriously, I can’t stress enough how much seeing your face would make me smile. Ticket sales close next Thursday! I can’t wait to see you there.

🏷

03/28/2022

If you’ve been victimized by sexual or intimate partner violence, this passage from my book may resonate with you.

In less than two short weeks, I’ll be reciting an original, unreleased poem on stage at . I wrote this poem exactly for this moment in time — it’s what I think everyone needs to hear right now.

I’m proud of my writing, how far I’ve come, and that I achieved my dream of having a book in bookstores around the world by the time I turned 25.

Being a poet is a unique trait that I’ll bring to the job of . I use my words to help make sticky subjects emotionally resonate and become accessible for everyone. I’ve been fortunate to reach thousands of people on Tik Tok and through my book, and today I was honored to make a $500 donation to the Miss Connecticut Scholarship Organization via Spotfund of the proceeds from my book.

Poetry is everything to me; it’s my way to communicate my feelings to the world. I can’t wait to perform for you onstage at so, so soon.

Until then; clear eyes, full hearts 🦋

03/25/2022

✅ Nonprofit Executive
✅ Nationwide Speaker
✅ Award-Winning activist
✅ Published Poet
✅ Congressional Staffer
✅ Future Civil Rights Attorney

It all starts with a crown.

The tools that I gained as a teenager in the Miss America Organization empowered me to reach towards goals in my adulthood that many would consider too big or too bold. Secure a $10,000 grant for my nonprofit? Got it. Speak on a nationwide CNN broadcast? No problem. Film two TED talks in 2 years? Hold my drink.

The courage, confidence, and commitment to service that I gained at a young age in the Miss Connecticut Scholarship Organization have substantially impacted my ability to
achieve my personal and career goals.

With over $3,000 gained in scholarship over the last year alone, I’m pursuing law programs in New York City and a run for state legislature — all because of an organization that showed me that when the world says to shut up — that’s exactly when you should speak.

This crown is a symbol — not an accessory. It’s jewels are insignificant in comparison to the power it holds to be a foot in the door to a bar exam, a ballot box or a boardroom.

As Miss Connecticut, I look forward to showing young people across the state of Connecticut and around the country that their goals are attainable and their voice matters. Everything that I’ve achieved in the last ten years wouldn’t be possible without the empowerment I gained as a teenager in this organization.

Now, watch me use my voice and champion that empowerment on stage at Miss Connecticut on April 9th at Mohegan Sun. I can’t wait to see you there 💜

03/04/2022

Hey, Connecticut 👋🏼👋🏾👋🏿 You may have seen me in your morning newspaper or in your inbox recently! Over the past two weeks, I’ve been extremely honored to be featured in several statewide publications talking about my work.

🗞 Connecticut Voice Magazine () and reporter Dawn Ennis did a full page feature on my advocacy work and my new book, Naked in Public!

🗞 The Republican American () and reporter Nancy Sasso Janis did a spread on my work in the Miss America Organization, my goals as Miss Connecticut, and my time spent in local Connecticut community theatre productions!

🗞 CT Fashion Magazine () and reporter Mike Chaiken interviewed me about my LGBTQ+ advocacy in the Miss America Organization and my fight for a safe internet for young people.

I’m not new to the news circuit, but it’s an immense pleasure to be featured in local publications written by local reporters. I look forward to continuing to spread my message of inclusion, safety, and diversity in the Miss America Organization and beyond.

If you’re interested in speaking with me for a story, feel free to DM me or reach our via email [email protected] 💖🦋

03/03/2022

I had the opportunity to visit Naugatuck Valley Community College in the heart of Waterbury and snapped some photos beside some of their beautiful outdoor art installations. There’s no better time than when visiting the city’s most well-loved community college than to tell you a bit about my education background!

✅ I graduated from Wolcott High School in 2015, where I served as Student Body President and President of the gay-straight alliance. I was also very involved in the theatre department and local community theatre in the Greater Waterbury area. I attribute my youth acting lessons at Seven Angels Theatre to my love of public speaking and spoken word.

✅ I graduated from Western Connecticut State University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and minors/concentrations in Justice and Law, Gender Studies, and Conflict Resolution. While at WCSU, I helped to amend our transgender housing policies, was a member of the honors program, a GLAAD Campus Ambassador, and participated in multiple theatre productions. This was also where I founded my nonprofit which would become globally recognized over the next several years.

✅ I now attend Prescott College where I’m pursuing my Masters of Arts in Social Justice and Community Organizing. As an organizer, my educational goal has been to develop a backbone of knowledge about historical civil rights organizing to inform the campaigns that I have started myself.

✅ My career ambition is to be a civil rights attorney and United States Senator from Connecticut. Fun fact: I’ve worked in both the United States Senate and House of Representatives, most recently as a Writer for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer in Washington, DC!

I’d love to know where you went to school or what your scholastic and career ambitions are! Let me know in the comments below how I can support your goals 🦋💖

03/02/2022

Fighting for a safer internet while advocating for change within the Miss America Organization ? You should see me in a crown 👑

✅ As the next Miss Connecticut, I’m committed to making the tech industry safer, more equitable, more accessible, and more just for young people by telling my story, building coalitions of partnerships between tech companies and the Miss Connecticut Scholarship Organization, and sharing the resources I’ve gathered as a leader on the forefront of the movement to stomp out cyber harassment and internet violence.

✅ As Miss Connecticut, I will visit K-12 schools weekly to talk about internet safety, perform poems that lead to meaningful conversations, and share my personal story while answering questions about online safety and healthy online relationships. I’ll also implement outreach programs and partnerships at state universities to create advocacy coalitions that reach my target demographics of young people under 25.

✅ I will continue leveraging my existing connections with national brands and small businesses to spread the message of the Miss America Organization while developing new partnerships, sponsorship opportunities, and supporters who support my personal and the organization’s collective goals. Specifically, I’m focused on partnerships with women-led, POC-owned, and LGBTQ+ affirming organizations and agencies.

✅ As the first nonbinary Miss Connecticut, I’ll work to advocate for gender diversity within the organization to create structural changes that in turn make the organization more accessible and welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community.
I will continue to be a leading voice at the national level on these opportunities for evolution.

✅ As a person with multiple intersectional marginalized identities, I’ll continue the work of to serve as a champion of diversity in Connecticut and nationwide.

I’m on a journey to be an agent of change. Join me ✨

Thank you for the opportunity to tell my story and talk about my work for CT Fashion Magazine! Check out the full article at the link in my stories! 🔑

03/01/2022

Join me tonight in conversation with my good friend from Kansas, Miss Butler County ✨As two titleholders passionate about diversity and technology, I’m thrilled to be back catching up with Sierra to share about my work to and the Miss Connecticut competition next month! You can join us at 8:00 PM EST on Sierra’s page! Bring your cup of coffee ☕️

02/28/2022

It was a pleasure and honor to host the Miss Worcester County and Miss Blackstone Valley competitions yesterday in Massachusetts! There’s nothing that I love more than our visiting neighbor states and spreading the message of the Miss America Organization outside of my role as a titleholder. It was incredible to witness as 18 candidates spoke their truth and embodied true courage, authenticity, and bravery to be who they are without apology or doubt. Congratulations to the new Miss Blackstone Valley Arcadia Ewell, Miss Worcester County Deolinda Mendes, and Miss Worcester County’s Outstanding Teen Emma Gibney! Best of luck as you prepare for your state competitions this spring!

02/23/2022

The moment a child picks up an iPad for the first time, they have access to a vast network of technology that can make or break their adolescence. I learned about the power of the internet the hard way. After experiencing horrific internet abuse and digital sexual violence as a young teen, I’ve made it my mission to fight for a safer internet for young people.

As a nonprofit leader, ardent activist and accomplished speaker, I strategically use my passion for combating internet abuse with a focus on K-12 students. By sharing my personal story of internet abuse and providing tools for safe and equitable internet use, I work to create safer and more knowledgeable internet users for future generations of Americans.

As a high school student, I watched as a police officer taught my class about the dangers of the internet while my peers rolled their eyes. In the digital age, it’s necessary for the dangers of the internet to be conveyed in a way that is relatable and educational — teaching young people how to use the internet safely AND what to do if something goes wrong and something bad happens. The stigma and shame around internet harassment, cyberbullying, intimate partner violence, and other forms of abuse can be eradicated through communication and necessary tools.

My mission as Miss Connecticut is to make tech more safe, equitable, and just for young internet users and to prepare young people to be safe online.

As the communications lead at a nationwide tech platform and the leader of a nonprofit fighting tech abuse, I have the tools and experience to achieve my goals. I’ve testified before State Legislatures around the country and in news media around the world advocating for the passage of legislation to prevent tech-based violence against women and girls. As a future attorney and public official, I have dedicated my life to ensuring that victims of internet crimes get justice by telling their stories and reclaiming their shame.

It’s time to and stomp out internet harassment 💪🏼💪🏽💪🏿 Head to the link in my bio to learn more!

02/20/2022

I’m so grateful to our Miss Connecticut sponsors CS Marchand and Keely Style for making me feel incredible in my Miss Connecticut headshot. I questioned whether or not I wanted to get a new headshot this year, but knowing that I’d have the opportunity to work with Claire and Keely for the third time made the decision for me. If you haven’t had the chance to work with this dream team — book a session now! Claire is the master of portrait photography, and Keely is a style expert.

Special thanks to Vanessa and Alyssa for being so kind and for making my hair and makeup look like the beautiful retro fantasy I envisioned. I’m grateful for the laughter we shared today.

I can’t wait to share my Miss Connecticut headshot with you! T-minus 48 days ✨

02/19/2022

Last but not least ✨ I’m thrilled to be Candidate #11 for the job of Miss Connecticut. In just 49 days, you’ll see me onstage in the Cabaret Theatre at Mohegan Sun competing for the opportunity to represent my state and community and continue the impact of diversity that my friend Sapna has championed.

Today we participated in Candidate Orientation, and the Miss Connecticut Board of Directors walked us through everything we candidates need to know to be best prepared to take the stage and the interview room in six short weeks. Which means — the over the next six weeks, I’ll be sharing everything that I’m doing to prepare to audition for the job of a lifetime. Truthfully, I’ve been preparing for this job for as long as I can remember, and every woman competing for this job is more than what they reflect on their social media page over the next six weeks. I look forward to getting to know them — and you as well!

Thank you to the Miss Connecticut Board of Directors for organizing an incredibly enlightening orientation and for all the work you to for us candidates every day.

I couldn’t be more proud to be an LGBTQ+ poet changing the face of the tech industry and helping kids stay safe online. We need this visibility now more than ever. Over the next six weeks, I’ll show you why. ⚡️

#11

02/18/2022

My face knowing that Miss Connecticut 2022 will be crowned at Mohegan Sun in 50 days ⚡️

It’s an incredible feeling to know that I’ll be back on the Miss Connecticut stage in just a few short weeks — but even more incredible to know that I’ve been preparing my entire life for this job. Even when I was unsure whether or not I would compete as a candidate this year, I was working as a writer, speaker, organizer, and advocate representing my community and my state in the fight for a stronger and more equitable world. And that’s what Miss Connecticut is: an advocate for those who don’t have the crown.

When folks ask me “why Miss America?”, as opposed to running for office or pursuing another passion, I’ve always said that the crown on my head is a foot in the door that allows me to advocate for others; allows me to secure opportunities and partnerships that align with the brand, mission, and values that I share. I’m a nonprofit leader, a communications marketer, an activist, and a writer. My goal is one day to run for Senate in the State of Connecticut. But right now? Right now my soul is tied to the Miss America Organization — and to the glorious partnerships we can create together. To all those that we can help. And to all those lives that we can change.

Over the next 50 days, I’ll be sharing with you my plans and goals for the job of Miss Connecticut, how I’ve been fighting to , and sharing all of the wisdom I’ve earned along the way.

Thank you for following me on this life-changing journey. We can do hard things 🖤

#2022

02/17/2022

Let’s do this, Connecticut ⚡️ I am so proud to be representing my favorite city as Miss Greater Waterbury exactly 10 years after being crowned Miss Greater Waterbury’s Outstanding Teen.

I’ve army-crawled through the last ten years, fighting to preserve my voice and to amplify the voices of others. Connecticut is my home — and the state that has held my hand through my darkest moments, and walked with me into the light.

I cannot wait to return to the Miss Connecticut stage this April to represent the LGBTQ+ community and folks who have experienced online harassment and sexual violence. This year, I’m continuing my activism to create a safer internet by advocating to and stomp out internet harassment.

You can learn more about me and my social impact through my website linked in my bio.

Thank you for following me on this journey and always reminding me that I can do hard things — I’m so, so glad you’re here. Let’s do this 👑

Address

Stamford, CT

Website

http://www.leahjuliett.com/, http://www.songsofsolidarity.org/

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Thank you to our generous #MissConnecticut sponsors for providing products for our candidate gift bags! One of the best parts of being a #MissConnecticut candidate is working with brands that align with my values and the values of the Miss Connecticut Scholarship Organization. These brands are no joke about supporting our empowerment and advocacy initiatives. Please give them your support as they support us! Sponsors mentioned :: @colorwowhair @beautigasm @avrilfras @4elementsdpc @glotiquect Thank you all for your incredible support of our 2022 class of candidates ✨ #MissGreaterWaterbury #MissConnecticut #MissCT #MissAmerica #MAO #MissAmerica100 #Sponsor #Sponsors #Brand #Scholar #LGBT #LGBTQ #LGBTQIA #ShopSmall #SupportSmallBusiness #CT #Connecticut #Waterbury #Mohegan #MoheganSun @missconnecticutscholarshiporg @missamerica @mohegansun

Tomorrow, I leave for the #MissConnecticut competition at Mohegan Sun. Today is a day for reflection and gratitude. Please, share a cup of coffee with me as I talk through some of the emotions that I’m feeling as I mark 10 years since my first time competing as a teen in the Miss Connecticut Scholarship Organization. I’ll let this video speak for itself, but I could not be more grateful for your support and for the ability and privilege to make a dream that my younger self didn’t dare to dream come to fruition. I’m honored to represent the LGBTQ+ community and all those who have felt historically marginalized as my full, authentic self. I’ll see you tomorrow, my friends 💖🦋

On Tuesday evening, our #MissConnecticut candidates were invited to a webinar hosted by The National Alliance on Mental Illness (@namiconnecticut) to discuss the importance of prioritizing mental health. As someone who publicly talks about living loudly with mental illness, I found this webinar to be both critical and necessary during this unique time in our lives as we experience both the pressure, anxiety, and excitement that comes with competing in a state competition. After the webinar, I recorded this TikTok as a reminder to all those struggling with mental illness or dealing with a tough time that you are deserving of grace and wired for hope. As we head into the weekend, I wanted to remind you that my DMs are always open and you are always welcome to reach out to me to talk. I love you, I’m so glad you’re still here. Stick around 🦋 #MissGreaterWaterbury #MissCT #MissConnecticut #MissAmerica #MAO #MissAmerica100 #LGBT #LGBTQ #LGBTQIA #MentalHealth #SuicidePrevention #BeHereTomorrow #LeahJuliett

If you’ve been victimized by sexual or intimate partner violence, this passage from my book may resonate with you. In less than two short weeks, I’ll be reciting an original, unreleased poem on stage at #MissConnecticut. I wrote this poem exactly for this moment in time — it’s what I think everyone needs to hear right now. I’m proud of my writing, how far I’ve come, and that I achieved my dream of having a book in bookstores around the world by the time I turned 25. Being a poet is a unique trait that I’ll bring to the job of #MissConnecticut. I use my words to help make sticky subjects emotionally resonate and become accessible for everyone. I’ve been fortunate to reach thousands of people on Tik Tok and through my book, and today I was honored to make a $500 donation to the Miss Connecticut Scholarship Organization via Spotfund of the proceeds from my book. Poetry is everything to me; it’s my way to communicate my feelings to the world. I can’t wait to perform for you onstage at #MissConnecticut so, so soon. Until then; clear eyes, full hearts 🦋 #MissGreaterWaterbury #MissCT #MissConnecticut #MissAmerica #MAO #MissAmerica100 #Scholar #Poet #Poem #Poetry #SpokenWord #SlamPoetry #SlamPoet #LGBT #LGBTQ #LGBTQIA #LeahJuliett

Let’s do this, Connecticut ⚡️ I am so proud to be representing my favorite city as Miss Greater Waterbury exactly 10 years after being crowned Miss Greater Waterbury’s Outstanding Teen. I’ve army-crawled through the last ten years, fighting to preserve my voice and to amplify the voices of others. Connecticut is my home — and the state that has held my hand through my darkest moments, and walked with me into the light. I cannot wait to return to the Miss Connecticut stage this April to represent the LGBTQ+ community and folks who have experienced online harassment and sexual violence. This year, I’m continuing my activism to create a safer internet by advocating to #TakeBackTheNet and stomp out internet harassment. You can learn more about me and my social impact through my website linked in my bio. Thank you for following me on this journey and always reminding me that I can do hard things — I’m so, so glad you’re here. Let’s do this 👑 #MissGreaterWaterbury #MissConnecticut #MissCT #LeahJuliett #MissAmerica #MAO #TakeBackTheNet #LGBTQ #LGBTQIA #LGBT #Connecticut #CT #Waterbury

This evening I was so, so proud to be the primary witness to testify for Senator Susan Rubio of California’s 22nd District in a public safety hearing on SB23, a bill to expand the statute of limitations for victims of revenge porn. March Against Revenge Porn is a Co-Sponsor of this bill. For those who may not know, statute of limitations refers to the maximum time in which legal proceedings may occur after an event has happened. In my own lived experience as a victim of revenge porn, by the time I had the courage, knowledge, and resources to speak out, my statute of limitations was up, and I was unable to seek legal justice against the man who’d exploited me. This legislation expands the statute of limitations for victims in California to ensure that all victims can have seek justice equally and accessibly. I am always proud of March Against Revenge Porn, but my work hits close to home today, as this bill is protecting victims from what I’ve personally lived through. Thank you Senator Rubio, her policy staff, and everyone who gave me the platform to testify today.

In celebration of Read Across America Day and building a coalition of diverse readers, join me in a reading of Let the Children March by Monica Clark-Robinson, illustrating the role of children during the Civil Rights Movement.

This #ValentinesDay, let’s normalize and celebrate relationships that aren’t amplified in traditional media: queer and trans, interracial, interabled, interfaith, and non-monogamous. Let’s fight for equal representation of all types of love in media. Queer love is valid — your love is valid 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈 Remember — you can still be successful in your career while being in a romantic relationship. Miss America does not have to be a single person to be dedicated to her job or to have a full and broad year of service. The idea that women can only be accomplished in a career OR in a relationship and therefore must chose one or the other is outdated and inaccurate. This Valentine’s Day and every day, let’s celebrate our relationships and how they add to our identities and accomplishments — not take away from them. Video: NBC Universal • • • #MissGreaterRockville #MissCT #MissConnecticut #MissAmerica #MAO #LGBTQ #LGBT #MarchToMissCT

What is bravery if not marching forward, though all may be lost? On August 12, 2016, at nineteen years old, I founded March Against Revenge Porn –– my first major organizing project. I spent the next few months organizing and planning the march entirely on my own –– contacting press, getting permits, speaking with agencies, and planning the route. It was an overwhelmingly healing task. On April 1, 2017, I led our first march across the Brooklyn Bridge to City Hall Plaza in New York City. We were covered by national and international press outlets, including CNN, who filmed and recorded this video segment. After appearing on CNN, March Against Revenge Porn began to gain even more traction, receiving messages from victims and survivors around the world who’d seen our segment and wanted to join the movement. Seemingly overnight, we became a global activism and social justice campaign, featured in remarkable places like foreign newspapers and magazines, podcasts, morning news shows, and even the Snapchat Explore Page. Several months later, I was contacted by the office of New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and was told the Mayor was passing legislation to criminalize revenge porn in New York City. I knew that our march had shifted the narrative around tech-based sexual abuse. But we didn’t stop there. Over the next few years, March Against Revenge Porn hosted and organized marches in Pittsburgh (covered on MTV’s “True Life”), Orlando, and Boston. We were featured in a viral BuzzFeed video, a Seventeen Magazine video series, a TED Talk, and on nightly news programs nationwide and in Canada and the UK. We were global. What started as a march across the Brooklyn Bridge has turned into an international movement fighting tech-based sexual abuse. But we’re not stopping there… Tune in tomorrow to hear the latest news a special announcement from March Against Revenge Porn. -- This week, I’ll be taking you inside the inner workings of my so

It started with a poem that was louder than a bomb. The single most transformative moment in my life was when I opened my laptop and saw the man who’d exploited me online staring back at me. His mugshot, all over my Facebook feed, told me that he was on the run for sexual assault of a minor. In that moment, I knew that silence no longer served me. I knew that I had to speak. I started by writing a spoken-word poem, then an essay, about my experience with tech-based sexual abuse. I posted the article online and began to perform the poem at poetry slams, including the Brave New Voices International Slam Poetry Competition in Washington, DC. Today I’m sharing with you the original version of that poem, which is now five years old. Many of you who have seen my TED Talk or have heard me perform this know that the poem is different now, some of the words have been changed and have grown with me, but I’m still in awe of my younger self, who wrote this while living through sexual trauma. In fact, my nude photos lived online for two more years after this poem was written. My entrance into activism was accidental — I took a used poster board and wrote “End Revenge Porn” in big, bold letters. I marched to the White House and stood outside the gates, holding my sign and screaming my poem, for all those around me to hear. I did not think that this would start a movement — but the freedom I felt from using my voice and publicly telling my story galvanized me to keep fighting for change. But I didn’t stop there. It was August of 2016 that I founded the organization that would continue the movement and lead to global change around revenge porn... This week, I’ll be taking you inside the inner workings of my social impact initiative and nonprofit, March Against Revenge Porn. For the past 4.5 years, we’ve been fighting against the crime that, for me, started in the confines of Facebook messenger. For years, my voice was trapped there. I set it free. Thi