Know Your Rebels: Erika Harold

By Ambra Nykola

Published: October 14, 2009

Name: Erika Harold

Age: 27

Representing: Urbana, Illinois

Why You Should Fear Her: Ms. Harold is no joke. In 2003, she deferred acceptance into Harvard Law school after being crowned Miss America. With her primary platform being "Preventing Youth Violence and Bullying: Protect Yourself, Respect Yourself," she faced a firestorm of controversy at the beginning of her reign, when she wanted to publicly discuss her past platforms of abstinence education. The Miss America Organization attempted to bully her into not discussing the "Sexual Abstinence" platform, but Harold did not relent.

In response to pressure to back down from one of her platforms, Harold said the following

"One of my jobs as Miss America is to be a role model to young people and to provide them with my story as an example of how they can achieve positive things in their lives. My personal commitment to abstinence from drugs, sex and alcohol in my opinion helped me to accomplish many of my goals. If I were prevented from speaking about that I think it would be very disingenuous in terms of serving as a role model."

Nothing more to say there. Harold has worked closely with Project Reality, a nonprofit organization promoting abstinence. She also spoke at the last RNC and has worked on many political initiatives.

She's a classically trained vocalist, a brilliant student, and can work an evening gown better than the average woman. Most importantly, she's a no-joke, on point, pull no-punches, woman of God. Oh, and she's gorgeous.

Accomplishments: Erika is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Illinois, a three time member of the National Dean's List, a National Spokesperson for the Teen Victims Project of the National Center for Victims of Crime, and a member of the National Board of Directors for the Center of Youth as Resources. She has received numerous academic and community awards.

She graduated Harvard Law School in 2007 and as of June 2008 was employed as an associate attorney at Sidley Austin LLP in Chicago, Illinois. Harold is also a classically trained vocalist.

Press/Interviews: NPR Interview, Woman's Touch, Salon.com, Young Money, The Black Collegian

Ambra Nykol is a columnist for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Soundpolitics.com, Seaspot magazine and Modestly Yours. She owns and blogs at nykola.com where she's been bothering people since 1981.