Week 5: Rhinestones & Resistance

By Madalaina Hlava

When femininity itself becomes a form of defiance

Pink. Lip gloss. Mascara. Hair curled. Shirt tucked in just right.

These things shouldn’t feel like rebellion. But when you’re the only woman on site, sometimes they do.

In male-dominated fields, femininity isn’t always welcomed. It’s questioned. It’s underestimated. Sometimes it’s written off completely.

And the most ironic part? The people making those assumptions have never even seen me at my most “pageant.”

They don’t know about the interviews. The late nights preparing for talent. The platforms I’ve built or the service work I’ve done.
They don’t know I compete in the Miss America Opportunity.
They’ve never seen me in a crown.

They just see the pink safety glasses.
The way I carry myself.
And that alone is enough for them to assume I’m not serious, not technical, not the one in charge.

But here’s the truth: I may not look how they expect. But I’m exactly where I belong.

The Comments Come in Subtle Ways

No one says it outright. But it shows.

They make a joke when I wear pink gloves.
They’re surprised when I’m the one making the call on what needs to be done.
They act like confidence and femininity can’t go hand in hand.

It’s the micro-moments that add up; the double takes, the jokes, the doubt.
But I don’t need to prove anything anymore.
Because when something breaks? I fix it.
When no one knows how to make something work? I figure it out.

The way I look doesn’t diminish that. It never has.

I Used to Tone It Down

There was a time I tried to blend in.
Neutral colors. Quiet demeanor. Nothing too “extra.”
Because I thought if I made myself smaller, I’d be taken more seriously.

But you know what happened?
They still questioned me.
Still second-guessed me.
Still assumed I wasn’t capable, until I showed them otherwise.

So now, I show up fully.
Pink shirt? Sure.
Gloss on? Why not.
Because I’m not here to fit a mold. I’m here to do my job and do it well.

They’ve Never Seen Me in a Crown—But They’ve Felt Her

Most of the guys on site don’t even know I compete in pageants.
They’ve never seen me in evening gown or heard me speak at events.
But they’ve seen what that experience gave me.

Confidence.
Composure.
Clarity.

Pageantry didn’t pull me away from this career, it helped me walk into it stronger.
They’ve never seen me on stage, but the woman they work with? That’s who pageantry helped build.

Femininity Isn’t a Flaw—It’s My Power

I used to think I had to “man up” to make it in this field.
Now I know better.

I don’t need to shed who I am to earn a seat at the table.
I just need to show up consistently, with the skills I’ve worked hard to build—and the confidence not to hide the rest of me.

So yes, I wear pink.
Yes, I keep lip gloss in my toolbox.
Yes, I answer questions clearly and kindly.
And yes, I lead.

And if that makes someone uncomfortable? That’s not mine to carry.

What I Want You to Know

Femininity isn’t a distraction.
It isn’t a weakness.
And it doesn’t make you less competent.

You can love your job and still love fashion.
You can lead a team and still wear blush.
You can set the tone on site and still wear rhinestones on the weekend.

You don’t have to choose between the parts of you that make you feel powerful.
You just have to own them.

Let them underestimate you.
You’ll prove them wrong by doing what you’ve always done, being excellent, being prepared, and never backing down.

See you next week for Week 6: Soft Skills, Solid Ground.
We’ll talk about emotional intelligence, communication, and how the “invisible” strengths we bring to STEM are often the most powerful.

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Madalaina Hlava is the current Miss Land of Lincoln (IL). You can follow her on her title's Instagram.

To read her other guest blogs for Section 36 Forevers, click here.