It was a dream come true when 23-year-old Blair Griffith (pictured) won the Miss Colorado USA beauty pageant last November, but since then, her life has been a living nightmare.
The beauty queen, who graduated magna cum laude from the Art Institute of Colorado, has always been quietly encouraged by the voice of her father, who died when she was 14 years old. He constantly urged her to enter pageants, take up modeling and pursue her other artistic interests.
Instead of wallowing in sadness in the years after her father's death, she decided to follow his advice. Her first victory was winning the Miss Colorado Teen USA, but tragedy would strike again when her mother suffered a heart attack. Fortunately, she survived, and was there to see her daughter fulfill her dream of becoming Miss Colorado USA 2011.
Then tragedy struck yet again.
Last November, as a result of complications with her mother's health and major surgery, the family faced a series of financial setbacks. Her mother's worst fears came true when she and her daughter were evicted and became homeless.
Eventually, her mother's friend opened her house to them, and they picked up the pieces.
"I feel like these are just moments that are teaching me how to be a stronger person," said Griffith.
On Wednesday, though, the college graduate learned that she will soon be out of her job at Saks Fifth Avenue; the store will soon be closing.
"You did sit there and go, 'Oh, not again.' But at the same time, I do think that it's a test to see if you can handle it and what you can make out of your situation," Griffith told Channel 9 News.
Even with all of life's challenges, Griffith has managed to keep her eyes on the prize. She hopes to inspire people as she embarks on her next goal: competing in the Miss USA competition in June.
03-Feb-11 - Houston police got caught beating down 16-year-old robbery suspect Chad Holley last March, and now a Houston television station is letting the world see just how bad the beating was.
01-Feb-11 - The New York Daily News is reporting that a Brooklyn nun called police last week claiming she had been sexually assaulted by a 6'4", 250 pound black man who was around 40... no wait 50, yeah that's the ticket, he was 50 years old.
31-Jan-11 - Mr. "Take Dat" himself, Sean "Diddy" Combs, is upset with President Barack Obama, and he took his beef where most hip-hop artists do... straight to the Source.
31-Jan-11 - Valerie Joyce Wilson Turks recently filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court against Diddy for ... (wait for it) ... one trillion dollars!
28-Jan-11 - In his first interview since the sexual misconduct allegations were levied against him, Bishop Eddie Long spoke to Channel 2 News in Atlanta.
God bless you Blair. Your strength in the face of adversity is amazing. You are an inspiration to men and women of all race and background. Hang in there my sistah.
this may sound mean but it's not meant to be but does anybody else think she looks like a mountain lion, puma, black panther are one of the felines. don't get me wrong i think felines are beautiful
I am not black but I agree with lot of your comments. Bill Crosby called it right. A lot of things have to change, with gangsta rap music, all of these babies with no fathers, the brothers are in jail because they don't have any guidance or father figure. Crime, pregnancies, etc, the list goes on, does not equal a better life. Better role models would help. So those that have made it, need to give back to the black community. Amen. Thanks for keeping it real!
I am so sorry you feel this way. But you are partially correct. It would help Blacks image to stop the language and treat each other better. I don't mean that you should treat each other as a minature white person but something proud, strong, educated, cultured and loved for who you are and even, where some of you came from hundreds of years ago. Now as for Miss Blair, do you personally know her? Do you have proof that she is a crack addict or any other type of 'bad' person? If not, then remember that you are putting down the half of black society that you are saying your race should stop misbehaving as. You can't have it both ways. I'm guessing that it is still difficult to be a black woman in a white man's world and she is possibly doing the best she can. If one is pretty and smart, these 'beauty contests' are not just ways of showing off sexy bodies but true ways of earning major scholarships of up to $75,000. That's a good reward whether you are a black or white woman. She is blessed to be pretty, smart and to born in this era. 100 years ago you can imagine what few opportunities she had to make a living, thru no fault of her own. Thank you.
Truly an inspirational story of triumph against incredible odds. ( It even inspired the vicious, depraved, social-deviant "uub140" to recycle it's stock rant for the umpteenth time. At least try to be an original miscreant, why dontcha ? )
Blair, my Sister you are the personification of the words of the poet Maya Angelou's work of perserverance: " Still I Rise " ! You are a shining example of the inherent strength in Black Womanhood. There would be no Amerikkka without Black Women. She raised us all. Even the children of the evil slave-master who brutally took her against her will, beat, demoralized, and otherwise oppressed her husband and then sold her children away from her. Yeah, that's the part of our nation's legacy so many try to pretend isn't there. But I digress.
This post is to give " A SOLDIER'S SALUTE " to a true Queen; Ms. Blair Griffith. The ALMIGHTY is blessing you and the rest of us through you. You inspire in a manner that only HE could be driving. Please continue to be strong, serve GOD only; and know that your reward will be bigger and richer than you will be able to receive.
OMG! ( uub140 ) your everywhere. Don't you get tired of pretending to be black and all the while your bashing your own race. Your a plant and you know it. Have a cup of tea and chill. Show some empathy why don't you towards others. Your a very mean soul and that is probably why you got hit in the head with that battery.
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Comments: (59)
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By: DOWNTOWN DONNY on 2/25/2011 2:20AM
She can allways live with me.
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By: Gichaya on 2/26/2011 6:16PM
God bless you Blair. Your strength in the face of adversity is amazing. You are an inspiration to men and women of all race and background. Hang in there my sistah.
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By: MIKE on 2/27/2011 12:25AM
I'LL TAKE HER....SHE CAN SLEEP IN MY KING SIZE BED EVERY NIGHT!!! I'D LOVE TO WEAR HER FINE LITTLE THING OUT...
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By: jusysayin on 3/01/2011 2:22PM
this may sound mean but it's not meant to be but does anybody else think she looks like a mountain lion, puma, black panther are one of the felines. don't get me wrong i think felines are beautiful
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By: J on 2/26/2011 7:15AM
I am not black but I agree with lot of your comments. Bill Crosby called it right. A lot of things have to change, with gangsta rap music, all of these babies with no fathers, the brothers are in jail because they don't have any guidance or father figure. Crime, pregnancies, etc, the list goes on, does not equal a better life. Better role models would help. So those that have made it, need to give back to the black community. Amen. Thanks for keeping it real!
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By: Christina Campbell on 2/26/2011 10:25PM
I am so sorry you feel this way. But you are partially correct. It would help Blacks image to stop the language and treat each other better. I don't mean that you should treat each other as a minature white person but something proud, strong, educated, cultured and loved for who you are and even, where some of you came from hundreds of years ago. Now as for Miss Blair, do you personally know her? Do you have proof that she is a crack addict or any other type of 'bad' person? If not, then remember that you are putting down the half of black society that you are saying your race should stop misbehaving as. You can't have it both ways. I'm guessing that it is still difficult to be a black woman in a white man's world and she is possibly doing the best she can. If one is pretty and smart, these 'beauty contests' are not just ways of showing off sexy bodies but true ways of earning major scholarships of up to $75,000. That's a good reward whether you are a black or white woman. She is blessed to be pretty, smart and to born in this era. 100 years ago you can imagine what few opportunities she had to make a living, thru no fault of her own. Thank you.
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By: Ms Millie on 2/26/2011 12:24AM
Now that was an uplifting story. If she can keep her head up so can we. As long as you have health and strength you can always do something positive.
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By: Jamolin on 2/26/2011 3:23AM
Hang on in there Blair, There is a GOD who will help you through.
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By: Buffalo Soldier on 2/26/2011 5:42AM
Truly an inspirational story of triumph against incredible odds. ( It even inspired the vicious, depraved, social-deviant "uub140" to recycle it's stock rant for the umpteenth time. At least try to be an original miscreant, why dontcha ? )
Blair, my Sister you are the personification of the words of the poet Maya Angelou's work of perserverance: " Still I Rise " ! You are a shining example of the inherent strength in Black Womanhood. There would be no Amerikkka without Black Women. She raised us all. Even the children of the evil slave-master who brutally took her against her will, beat, demoralized, and otherwise oppressed her husband and then sold her children away from her. Yeah, that's the part of our nation's legacy so many try to pretend isn't there.
But I digress.
This post is to give " A SOLDIER'S SALUTE " to a true Queen; Ms. Blair Griffith. The ALMIGHTY is blessing you and the rest of us through you. You inspire in a manner that only HE could be driving. Please continue to be strong, serve GOD only; and know that your reward will be bigger and richer than you will be able to receive.
I bid you a peaceful journey, my Sister !
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By: Satin on 2/26/2011 7:33AM
OMG! ( uub140 ) your everywhere. Don't you get tired of pretending to be black and all the while your bashing your own race. Your a plant and you know it. Have a cup of tea and chill. Show some empathy why don't you towards others. Your a very mean soul and that is probably why you got hit in the head with that battery.
Reply to this Comment | Report This