When Erica Graham was younger, she came across a photo of her mother that sparked her interest. It was an older photo, of her smiling in a red robe. It dated from her time of glory.
Graham recalled begging to follow in her mother’s footsteps. She agreed and helped Graham compete in the Miss USA primaries – it was something the two could share. Now that she’s grown, Graham’s three-year-old and five-year-old daughters now also participate in pageants.
“They’re pretty fun,” Graham said.
While Graham still loves pageants, she explained that there aren’t really pageant options for married women in Indiana. For now, she said, Mrs. America is the only one where preliminary pageants are open to married women.
Graham entered the competition in April 2023 and won third place.
She wasn’t ready to stop after that.
She decided to contact the pageants in the United States of America and requested to participate as this year’s Mrs. Indiana.
Tanice Smith, executive director of Pageants of the United States of America, explained that the program is not yet hosting a preliminary pageant in Indiana. Instead, she explained, the organization appoints grantees after a “rigorous” application and interview process.
Graham is now Mrs. Indiana and will soon compete in the national competition.
“This will be my first national pageant,” Graham said, adding that it will be her first pageant in more than a decade. “I’m excited about that.”
She hopes to use the competition as a springboard to bring more pageantry to Indiana, aimed at married Hoosiers. The pageants in the United States of America also have ‘Miss’ and teen divisions, which she hopes to bring to Indiana as well.
“I believe all married women should have more than one chance to show who they are,” Graham said.
In addition to advocating for pageantry opportunities, Graham said she is an avid supporter of suicide prevention and coaches girls.
“My goal in life is to let girls know that you don’t have to hide who you are to be your authentic self,” Graham said. “That’s kind of what pageants mean to me.”
Graham and her husband Tyler run Spine Restoration, a chiropractic business based in Marion.
