Happy 54th Independence Day from Miss Sierra Leone USA

Hello world!!!

I hope you and yours are doing well. I am doing well, thanks be to God! As some of you may know, the land of my birth celebrates its Independence on April 27th. In 1964, the nation was liberated from full British control due to European invasion on most African nations, and became an independent nation; the nation became a Republic in 1971. I've had the honor of serving as Miss Sierra Leone USA, the first pageant I ever competed in, representing the nation's capital city of Freetown and the great state of Maryland.

SALONE QUEEN
Miss Sierra Leone USA 2012-2014 Ruby B. Johnson
Photo by ROS Productions

SALONE QUEEN
Miss Sierra Leone USA 2013-2014 Ruby B. Johnson
Photo by ROS Productions

The nation I call my place of birth; the nation I will always wave her flag proudly; the nation that always comes to my rescue while living here in the United States when I want to make excuses for not knowing/remembering something such as saying things like "I wasn't born here" or "I'm foreign;" the nation that gave me my first crown in 2012 and a platform to reach out to girls/women just like me and advocate for STEM and mining; the nation that has instilled culture and morals in me that I value highly; and the nation that I will always call home regardless of how far away I may be. Just like every household, there will always be good, bad, and ugly times. The nation that brings happiness and sometimes trying times to her children. She has endured so much in her lifetime BUT she still continues to rise. Dis kontri na mi Salon.

SALONE QUEEN
Miss Sierra Leone USA 2012-2014 Ruby B. Johnson
Photo by ROS Productions

Sierra Leonean and American Queen: Ruby B. Johnson
Miss Sierra Leone USA 2012-2014
Miss Earth Maryland 2015
Photo by ROS Productions

Green|White|Blue

May God bless the Republic...

Land that we love, OUR SIERRA LEONE!!!

HAPPY 54th INDEPENDENCE DAY, Mama Salone.

Ruby B. Johnson,
Your Miss Sierra Leone USA 2012-2014,
Your Miss Earth Maryland 2015,
Proudly Sierra Leonean and American.
Help me compete at Miss Earth United States 2015. DONATE HERE

SEEKING SPONSORS for Miss Earth United States 2015 Pageant
Miss Earth Maryland Ruby B. Johnson
Photo by ROS Productions

Photo Credit: ROS Productions

Presenting... Miss Earth Maryland 2015

Hello world!!!

I hope you and yours are doing well. I'm doing well, thanks be to God! I competed in my first pageant in 2012 and got the opportunity to be awarded the title of Miss Sierra Leone USA 2012-2014. I am forever grateful for this opportunity because I got the opportunity to serve my Sierra Leonean community in the United States and Sierra Leone [with my personal platform of advocating for the recruitment and retention of girls and women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields], and completed a mining internship in Kono District in 2013. Later this year, I am excited to crown my successor, who will be Sierra Leone's newest ambassador under the wonderful Miss Sierra Leone in DC organization.

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Now, I am super excited to serve the Old Line State, Maryland (which I've called home for the past 11 years), as Miss Earth Maryland 2015. My "Beauties for a Cause Project" is “Mining Rocks: Importance of Mining in Our Everyday Life.” My platform is to provide kindergarten through grade 12-level children mining education lessons and activities, and to inform and educate the general public about the importance of mining in their everyday lives. I'm so excited to start my school tour next week, and get to talk with students around the state. Keep up with my adventures on my blog: http://thankyoumotherearth2015.blogspot.com/

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Additionally, I will be competing at the national Miss Earth United States pageant this summer for the opportunity to represent the US at the Miss Earth pageant. Miss Earth is an annual international pageant promoting environmental awareness. The Miss Earth winner is the spokesperson for the Miss Earth Foundation, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and other environmental organizations.

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

THIS IS FOR YOU, MARYLAND!!!

Clothing and Accessories: Vavaii Boutique
Photo credit: Alex Smith

Unwrapping Christmas Gift Donations at So Others Might Eat (SOME)

Hello world!!!

I hope you and yours are doing well. I'm doing fantastic, thanks be to God! Last Monday, I unwrapped the Christmas gifts in the form of donations for So Others Might Eat's (SOME) shoebox gift donation. These gifts were donated by generous individuals, families, groups, and organizations; items included essentials for women, girls, boys, and men. I've been volunteering with SOME for the past two years, and for this project I got to work with the lovely Ann (shoebox donations coordinator). The holiday season should be about enjoying the precious moments with your loved ones, as well as blessing others out there.

Ruby B. Johnson

Ann (SOME staff) and Ruby B. Johnson

So Others Might Eat (SOME) is the only interfaith, community-based organization in the District of Columbia that offers a comprehensive, holistic approach to caring for the homeless and extremely poor citizens of the city. SOME exists to help the poor and homeless of our nation's capital. They meet the immediate daily needs of the people they serve with food, clothing, and health care. They help break the cycle of homelessness by offering services, such as affordable housing, job training, addiction treatment, and counseling, to the poor, the elderly and individuals with mental illness. Each day, SOME is restoring hope and dignity one person at a time.

Ruby B. Johnson with SOME staff

The life of a man consists not in seeing visions and in dreaming dreams, but in active charity and in willing service. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Ruby B. Johnson,

Your Miss Sierra Leone USA.

Like my Facebook Page

Follow me on Twitter @MissSaloneUSA
Follow me on Instagram @MissSierraLeoneUSA