Okay so I’m normally not interested in beauty pageants, but I have to say I’m kind of happy that Miss Great Britain is allowing single mothers and divorcees to enter the competition for the first time in its 65 year history.

The move marks a major change from the former rules of the contest when Welsh winner Helen Morgan, was forced to resign four days after her victory in 1974, when it was discovered she had an 18-month-old son.

According to an article in the Mail Online, the pageant is trying to modernize the oldest beauty contest in the UK, and to promote equal opportunity.  Liz Fuller, the pageants new owner, who used to own the British branch of the Miss World franchise, has also banned bikinis, with a return to a one-piece swimsuit round.  Plus, she’s introduced a lengthy and stringent pre-judging session, where the women are interviewed about their career ambitions and their general knowledge – instead of hobbies and charities.

While I’m not pro-pageant, I’m thrilled that our single sisters have the access to cash and opportunity that pageantry affords because obviously, marital status has nothing to do with beauty.

Photo by Mrs. Universe 2010 Contest.