Community Corner

Hyattsville Woman to Represent Maryland in 2014 Mrs. Plus America Pageant

Kristus Ratliff is Mrs. Maryland Plus America 2014 and promotes the empowerment of women through music.

Kristus M. Ratliff, a Hyattsville IT senior manager and musician, has been crowned Mrs. Maryland Plus America 2014.

Ratliff, 33, will compete in the 2014 Miss Plus America Pageant against other contestants from across the United States this summer in Atlanta at the Westin Hotel & Resort. The pageant will take place from July 1 to 5.

The Miss Plus America Pageant, put on by Coronet Productions, is a competition that promotes “the sophisticated, ambitious, responsible and community service oriented full-figured woman of the new millenium.”

“It is an honor to represent the State of Maryland in the Miss Plus America Pageant,” Ratliff said. “I hope to bring the title home to Maryland this July and continue spreading my positive message of empowerment and self-love to girls and women.”

On top of promoting empowerment for women through her platform Sing Your Own Song, Ratliff is a graduate of American University, a senior project manager for an IT consulting form, a serial entrepreneur who has launched several successful businesses including Ratliff Events and Lifestyle Experts, a volunteering project manager with Taproot Foundation, and a member of the worship ministry and media team at DC Regional Christian Church.

“Sing Your Own Song is my way of encouraging girls to use music as a tool to share their unique perspectives with the world and conquer their fears,” Ratliff said. “There is a powerful woman inside of every girl. I believe that music is the key to unlocking that potential.”

Ratliff found music to help her through the challenges she faced in her life. “When I was on stage, I was forced to silence my insecurities, and forget about my painful past,” she said. “It required a level of focus and attention that left no room for my baggage.”

To promote her platform, Ratliff will be teaming up with Girls Rock! DC. The local non-profit organization holds two two-week long summer camps each year for girls in the tri-state area. Campers will have the chance to learn to play an instrument, perform on stage, develop leadership skills, learn to work in teams, and learn to take risks - like performing on stage.

“Kristus is an ideal candidate for the Miss Plus America Pageant,” said Executive Director for Coronet Productions Melissa Stamper. “We are proud to have her as a state titleholder.”

To learn more about Ratliff and Sing Your Own Song, visit her website.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here