Natural beauty
Miss USA hopeful Amal Bennett-Judge is not all about the runway. She's working to make green the new black.
By Jonathan CribbsMon, May 04 2009 at 4:30 AM EST
14
Photo courtesy of Amal Bennett-Judge People told Amal Bennett-Judge she was probably on to something when she ran unsuccessfully for Miss D.C. in December. She didn't wear brand-new evening gowns. And when it came time to strut around in a bathing suit, she wasn't exactly wearing the latest fashion.
Her suit was more than 50 years old, a vintage two-piece her mother once wore. It wasn't flashy, and it wasn't the latest couture.
But it was decidedly eco-chic.
"It's never been done," Bennett-Judge says. "They said, 'You have a big chance at winning next year. You just need to work on answering questions.'"
Bennett-Judge says she plans to continue running until she wins and makes it to the world-famous Miss USA pageant — on a green platform. It's one of several big ways the college junior is pushing green initiatives in Washington, particularly at her school, Howard University, one of the nation's top historically black colleges. Howard has also landed on college fashion top 10 lists in recent years, and Bennett-Judge hopes to use that attention to make an impact on students.
Environmentalism isn't as trendy in traditionally black schools as in many larger, state institutions, she says. Students there are often preoccupied with ongoing issues in the black community, including violence, lack of education and entrenched poverty.
"At my school, the connotation of someone who is environmentally friendly is usually associated with people who are out of touch with society," she says. "They're not really hip to how to be sustainable."
Bennett-Judge caught the environmentalism bug while interning for U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., last summer. Reid's office sent interns to Senate committee meetings to write reports. One meeting Bennett-Judge attended dealt with criticism of the Environmental Protection Agency after high-ranking officials claimed the office did not properly report poor air quality in downtown New York after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. The majority of emergency workers who helped clear debris and save victims from the World Trade Center have suffered respiratory problems doctors attribute to toxic dust in the air, according to a study released by New York's Mount Sinai Medical Center in 2006.
"I was just so shocked," Bennett-Judge says. "I always thought government protects the people."
The more time she spent at the internship, the more she read about environmental concerns, and she thought about ways to change the environment locally. Thinking begat the Get Fabulously Green campaign at Howard University this year, with a title fabulous enough to appeal to fashion-conscious Howard students, she says. Get Fabulously Green started a recycling program at the university. It has plans to replace paper-towel dispensers in the bathrooms with hand driers. It's also issuing the "Green Card," which allows students to take advantage of exclusive discounts at eco-friendly shops in Washington, Bennett-Judge says.
She says she also wants to start a lecture series that will feature prominent black Americans interested in environmental issues, including, perhaps, Russell Simmons and Keri Washington. Well-known green consultant Majora Carter has agreed to speak at the university for free, Bennett-Judge says.
She also recently attended Power Shift 2009, a large youth conference on climate change in Washington held Feb. 27-March 2. She staged a fashion show at the conference featuring vintage clothing and clothing made from sustainable fabric. She's been working with Kari Fulton, a member of Power Shift's steering committee. (Full disclosure: Fulton is also a member of the Mother Nature Network's advisory board.)
"Amal has amazing ideas. When [she first told it to me], I was like, 'Wow. Go for it, girl, go for it,'" Fulton says.
The fashion show was designed to appeal to any student, but it's uniquely Howard-inspired, says Fulton, also a graduate of the school. The university's homecoming and spring fashion shows are "legendary," she says, and integrating environmentalism with a fashion show will likely lure new acolytes to the green movement.
"Instead of us preaching to the choir, we're hoping those people outside the church will come in," she says. "I hope that it inspires other people, especially those people of color, to engage others in their community. It'll be nice to set the tone."
After all, vintage clothing has its benefits, Bennett-Judge says.
"You don't ever have to worry about someone else wearing your dress," she says. "You're always fabulous."
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Comments
Kendra
07/03/2009 12:09 PM
Amal, words cannot describe how proud I am of you. Glad your time on The Hill influenced you in this way. I can only hope that I am able to use my experience to educate the black community.
Christina
07/01/2009 11:20 AM
Amal you are doing it big - keep doing your thing. HU will support you all the way.!
Anonymous
05/05/2009 22:00 PM
You go girl!
checktheweather.net
05/05/2009 09:44 AM
Great Article on Amal. The writer was excellent. To read more stories on how young people of color are redefining this green movement visit www.checktheweather.net!
erin.p.fielding
05/04/2009 17:39 PM
I hope she goes all the way to Miss Universe! She is a great example of someone doing everything they can with the talents they are given.
BROCCOLI CITY
05/04/2009 16:32 PM
To see the PowerShift fashion show video click here: http://vimeo.com/3616133
Broccoli City urban organic tshirts!!!
Suzanne
05/04/2009 14:13 PM
Sure beats that bigoted airhead Miss California.
Martha Yost
05/04/2009 14:07 PM
quick short video comparing solar energy costs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hldKqmes4I
tanya
05/04/2009 13:52 PM
Look at her! Oh my god she is gorgeous... and apparently deeper than a birdbath! She may be in trouble in the world of pageantry... but the to the world at large... this is my Ms. USA! Screw those silicone peaks and valleys... give young women some one real to look up to, not some barbi-bigot!
DS3M
05/04/2009 13:17 PM
Hopefully we can all talk about our girl's interests as much as that vapid Ms. California's hatreds.
Kevin
05/04/2009 12:50 PM
Not your average, low-information beauty pageant contestant, is she? I hope that Miss California takes a tip from Ms. Judge.
http://agardeninthehouse.blogspot.com/
dasolar
05/04/2009 10:14 AM
Good for her. It's a great way to raise awareness. Certainly got my attention! Alternative energy is on it's way faster than we think... http://www.dasolar.com/alternative-energy
Green41day
05/04/2009 10:09 AM
I applaud this young lady for having followed her values and not the establishment. The "green revolution" has proved again and again that green works in all areas of our lives.
lucrisa1@yahoo.com
04/30/2009 00:40 AM
It is an idea who's time has come. I think that young miss usa picked a concern that has the potential to become and have a long term effect on a lot of things. it could not have been a better person to start the trend but her. I believe that the younger group should be the leaders in the go green effect because they have seen a lot as far as the generations ahead of them not really showing a lot of concern about the enviroment. And they are the future. So it is making a big statement as.... More
