An Online Achievement Pageant Honoring the Full Figured Woman

Sizes 10+ for 5’5” and under. Sizes 12+ for 5’6” and over

Mrs. Michigan 2007-2008

Meredith Jones

They say forty is the new twenty well I can say that is true. I just turned forty and I have never felt more alive than I do now. I am Meredith Jones, Mrs. Michigan Classic Beauty. I was born and raised in the small town of Waynesville, North Carolina and after high school I got married and had my son. My marriage turned out to be abusive both physically and mentally. I thank the dear Lord everyday that I had a supportive family there to help when it came time for me to leave the situation. During a very volatile separation and divorce, I managed to obtain a degree in criminal justice and certification as a law enforcement officer. I chose law enforcement for two reasons 1) I wanted to be able to help other victims of abuse and 2) make a difference in the community I lived in. I got my first job near the coast of North Carolina, so I packed up and with my son in tow I moved six hours from home. I established my career and met my second husband. Life was going well, and then on February 16, 1992, shortly after our first anniversary I lost my second husband to suicide. I knew the signs of depression from my training and had been taking him to mental health. After arguing with the doctor that he needed more intense treatment the response was “Everything was fine” then a week later he took his own life. Once again I found myself thrust into the other side of the court system with going through probate court, and getting the paperwork to unfreeze bank accounts. With this event I felt even more compelled to help others through the judicial system. I eventually met my third husband whom I have been happily married to for 15 years in September. I could not ask for a better husband. He is very supportive in what I do. We have a beautiful and brilliant 12 year old daughter and our wonderful and brilliant son who is currently serving in Iraq with the United States Army.

After my husband finished his service in the United State Air Force we moved to South Carolina. There I was given the opportunity to finish my bachelor’s degree in Business Administration while working full time as the first female supervisor at the Central Police Department in South Carolina. After graduation in December, 2005, I hung up my gun belt in April, 2006, to attend Thomas M Cooley Law School in Michigan. I had been given the opportunity to go to the next step at helping others through the justice system and my husband said go for it, so I did. It was scary. We sold our house in South Carolina, I had given up a stable job in law enforcement and he had given up a stable job in firefighting just so I could pursue a goal I had. Like I said earlier he is very supportive. The plans are graduation in May, 2009 and find a job working with victims of crime- specifically domestic violence victims.

During all these years I had many people doubting me along the way but I am reminded every day by two quotes from Eleanor Roosevelt:

1) No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.

2) You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.

And this is what I hope to convey to others as I promote my platform against domestic violence and crime prevention during my reign as Mrs. Michigan Classic Beauty.