By Amanda Respess

O n Aug. 27, Georgia College & State University alumna Paige Armstrong Ewing (’05) was crowned Mrs. America. Having won the Mrs. Georgia title in June, Ewing competed against 45 other contestants over 10 days packed with rehearsals and pageant events in Las Vegas.

“The experience was amazing,” Ewing said. “Even before finals – before the crowning – it was great. I am so glad that I did it. I met like-minded women who are equally as passionate about their cause or platform.”

Ewing’s message is one that nearly anyone can relate to: Finding hope in the aftermath of grief.

“My platform is giving hope and healing to grieving families. It’s my passion to share with other people how to live through loss and still carry the duality of joy and grief,” Ewing said. “For eight years in a row, I lost a close family member, including my dad and then my brother 15 months later, and then my mom … I never knew how grief could affect you physiologically.”

Winning the Mrs. America pageant was “the cherry on top” for Ewing, but it was the chance to bring her message to a wider audience that motivated her to enter the competition in the first place.

“I knew if I could carry a title like Mrs. Georgia and even Mrs. America, how powerful that would be for my message. That’s why I went back and I did the pageant,” Ewing said.

The Mrs. America Inc. organization, which includes the Mrs. America, Mrs. American and Miss for America Strong pageants, began in 1938 to “feature the most accomplished married and single women in America,” according to their official website.

“I have two girls who got involved in pageants five or six years ago. I started getting back into that world and learned that there are great, reputable pageants for married women,” Ewing said. “I asked my daughters, ‘What do you think of this?’ I wanted to show them that you’re never too old to do what you love. For them to see me enjoying something in this season of life – I knew that would be impactful on them years to come.”

In addition to her own platform as Mrs. America, Ewing will also represent the Mrs. America Inc. organization’s charitable platform, Victoria’s Voice. The nonprofit was founded by David and Jackie Siegel, who are partners in the Mrs. America pageants.

For now, Ewing is home in Buford, Georgia, with her daughters and husband Michael. Michael Ewing is also a 2005 Georgia College graduate; the couple met at GCSU. Paige earned her degree in mass communication and Michael graduated from the business school.

Before long, Ewing will be back on stage representing not just Georgia, but the entire nation when she competes as Mrs. America in the Mrs. World pageant in January 2026.

“I felt like I was in the movie Miss Congeniality, because we all called each other by our state names,” Ewing said. “It was sweet and cute, but truly everyone was really supportive. I love what this system stands for. It honors the character of the modern day married woman and what she can contribute to her home, her community and her society.”

Header Images: Paige Armstrong Ewing ('05) was crowned Mrs. America 2025 on Aug. 27. Her husband Michael Ewing ('05), daughters, sister and brother-in-law supported Ewing at the pageant in Las Vegas. (Photos courtesy of Paige Ewing and Mrs. America Inc.)