Scots beauty queen who witnessed pals' abusive relationships fights to protect women
Grace McCabe, whose work for women's safety was recognised by the United Nations, will compete for the crown of Miss Great Britain Glasgow.
A Scots beauty queen has pledged to use her pageant platform to help end gender-based violence after years of tireless campaigning that has seen her recognised by the United Nations.
Grace McCabe, from Strathaven, is one of the finalists for Miss Great Britain Glasgow and will take to the stage at the Radstone Hotel in Larkhall on June 20.
The 21-year-old, who competed in last year's Miss Scotland pageant, will battle contenders in a number of rounds, including ones in fashion wear, swimwear and evening wear. If successful, she'll compete at the 80th anniversary of the national Miss Great Britain finals on Friday October 17 at the Athena in Leicester.
However, behind the pageantry, lies a determined criminal law graduate with the aim of making Scotland safer for women and girls.
She told the Daily Record: "I went into pageantry in an unconventional way. Many people enter pageants and then think of what charity they are going to support. Whereas I have campaigning for the safety of women since I was 15 years old.
"I've witnessed domestic violence first-hand and had close friends in abusive relationships. Women are being killed by their partners every single day. I couldn't sit back anymore.
"I realised people in pageants were making a big impact by raising loads of money and awareness. I wanted to push myself and build my confidence but also make a bigger impact than I am just now.
"I owe it to women to use this platform to fight for their safety. Whether I win or not, I'll never stop fighting. This is my life's mission."
The Glasgow Caledonian University law graduate previously co-led the Own Our Zone campaign with Girlguiding Scotland, which called for safer public spaces and was backed in the Scottish Parliament with a motion of support.
Grace continued: "When I became lead volunteer with Girlguiding Scotland, it was just after Sarah Everard had been murdered. We wanted to do something real to make streets safer through better lighting, safer toilets and planners taking women's needs seriously. The campaign launched and we got backing in the Scottish Parliament. It was incredible."
The campaign also earned Grace a nomination as a Safe Spaces Now Champion by UN Women UK, where she was shortlisted in the top six out of over 300 nominees for actively working to combat sexual harassment in public spaces.
"I was the youngest one there at 20 years old," she said. "I stood alongside women who had changed laws. It was surreal – especially when I think about being bullied at school for speaking out.
"I had a strong sense of right and wrong from a young age, but being a girl, I was constantly shut down. Now, I've stuck to my guns and it's paid off because I am able to help other women."
The pageant hopeful began supporting Women's Aid South Lanarkshire and East Renfrewshire after witnessing the horror of abuse and the tragic outcome that can come from it.
In November, she raised over £1,000 and donated five carloads of makeup, toiletries and other essentials to help women escaping domestic abuse.
She added: "Quite often with femicide, when male partners kill their female partners, that is the first time they have laid hands on them. However, there are usually warning signs. I knew I had to give back to a charity which supported women leaving these horrible situations.
"The thing with domestic violence and rape there is never any justification for it. It is an epidemic that isn't talked about enough. I have had friends who have gone through it. That's the reason I do criminal law.
"If I am fortunate enough to win, I hope that the increased platform and reach will mean I am able to share resources about prevention work to a wider audience.
"I intend to inspire other girls to work on this issue because everyone has to be involved for us to end gender-based violence."
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