A NORTHSIDE girl was celebrating recently after being crowned Miss Ethnic Ireland 2013.
Sheelan Yousefizadeh (21) was born and raised in Tehran and moved to Ireland at the age of 12 with her family. She now lives in Beaumont and is studying at Trinity College.
Miss Ethnic Ireland is an annual beauty contest founded in 2009 by the United Youth of Ireland. Each year the event brings together young people from all over Ireland, many of whom are recent migrants.
It is a beauty contest with a difference, showcasing Dublin’s beauty and diversity and designed to appeal to young people by combining a serious discussion with live music, a DJ, a beauty contest and the selection of the End FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) Ambassador 2012-2013.
Speaking after her success, Sheelan said adapting to a new lifestyle in Ireland was very challenging at first, but it helped her gain a strong sense of equality for all, regardless of religion, ethnicity, nationality or colour.
“In my early teens I took an active role in organising cultural awareness programmes,
? she told Northide People.
“These programmes included International Day in my school, Our Lady of Mercy College Beaumont. It helped showcase the many cultures that are now part of our community while promoting integration and interculturalism.
“In my late teens I became active in my local youth parliament, Dublin Comhairle na nOg and the Dail na nOg council, raising issues that affected young people in my community.
“As I graduated towards university I become very involved with Amnesty International as a human rights activist holding many positions within the organisation.
“I’m currently entering into my third year of Genetics in Trinity College Dublin.
Sheelan said she got involved with the Miss Ethnic Ireland competition because she had been campaigning on FGM previously with Amnesty International and was very aware of the cause.
“It was actually one of the first campaigns I took part in when I joined the organisation as a teen,
? she stated.
“At the time I was still in an all girls’ secondary school.
“We were all in shock when we read stories of young girls who had suffered from FGM and the consequences that they had to live with every day.
“It motivated me and a few friends to run the Women’s Mini Marathon to raise awareness and we managed to raise e800 for the cause.
?
Sheelan feels
“privileged and honoured
? to have been awarded the 2013 title.
“I believe that at the moment intercultural dialogue is more important than ever to bring awareness, appreciation and acceptance of different cultures,
? she stated.
“I believe that Miss Ethnic Ireland is one way to create intercultural dialogue in which girls from migrant background are empowered to stand up and raise awareness about issues that affect women and their community.
?
Sheelan said there are many responsibilities that come with her new title.
“Despite being a busy student, I feel that I have enough experience from my days as an activist to meet the challenge,
? she added.
“I’ve had great support from my classmates from the very first day and I’m grateful to them for that.
“On a personal level I’m delighted that I will get to represent my country Iran and our beautiful culture over the next year.
?
Sheelan’s former classmates at Mercy College Beaumont – Anisha Joy (India) and Dominika Walus (Poland) – also entered the competition, with Anisha taking the first runners-up prize.