The first time, she was 17. She slept on a friend's bedroom floor.

The next time, she was 19. Then seven months pregnant, she crashed in an aunt's living room.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Desiree Pabon will never forget either of the times she's been homeless. And she wants to make sure other veterans - especially women - don't have to experience what she did.

Pabon said her personal connection to homelessness makes her new title even more meaningful: On Oct. 7, she was crowned Ms. Veteran America 2018. The competition, founded by an Army officer in 2012, highlights the issue of homelessness among women who've served and raises funds to provide safe and suitable housing for them and their children.

“It has really hit home for me,” Pabon said of the competition's mission.

Pabon, who was chosen from a group of 25 finalists, said she's looking forward to continuing to engage in advocacy efforts now that she has won the title.

“You're not just competing for a crown and sash,” she said, “You're competing for women veterans.”

On top of the strong advocacy component, Ms. Veteran America is also tasked with serving as a role model, teaching and empowering young women to support and inspire each other. Contestants are judged for poise and confidence during interview and talent portions of the competition. Military background and charity work also factor in to final scores. Both veterans and active duty servicemembers are eligible to compete.

“It's a competition that actually has meaning behind it,” said Pabon, explaining what drove her to participate. She initially took part in Ms. Veteran America in 2016, finishing as one of the top 10 finalists.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Desiree Pabon snaps a selfie with Army Reserve Maj. Jaspen "Jas" Boothe, who founded the Ms. Veteran America pageant in 2012. (Phelan Marc photo)

Raising Their Voices

“All of these women have stepped forward to become a voice for a population of forgotten veterans who feel as if America isn't listening to them,” Jaspen “Jas” Boothe, the founder of Ms. Veteran America, said in a news release.

Boothe, a major in the Army Reserve, started the competition in 2012 to help combat homelessness. Her nonprofit, Final Salute Inc., is the beneficiary of the proceeds. Prompted by her own bout with homelessness in 2005-2006, Boothe founded Final Salute in 2010 to provide resources to homeless women who've served. The organization estimates that 55,000 women veterans are homeless.

“I'm honored to call her my sister in arms,” Pabon said of Boothe, adding that Boothe was an inspiration throughout the competition and will continue to motivate her as Ms. Veteran America.

Pabon, who serves as Logistics Management Non-commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) for U.S. Central Command at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., met her fundraising goal of $5,000 this year. She held several events in the Tampa Bay area to raise funds and awareness.

“Money is great as far as fundraising is concerned,” she said, “but if people don't know about [homelessness], how can we change it?”

As Ms. Veteran America, Pabon plans to use social media to highlight issues that homeless women veterans and their children face. Her first public appearance will be in a Veteran's Day parade in New York City. In the meantime, she's back to work in the Army. Eventually, she hopes to be selected into the Warrant Officer Corps.

This title is a “door opener,” she said. “It challenges me to be the best version of myself and the best advocate for Final Salute.”