NEW ORLEANS – Yasmeen Gumbs-Breakenridge, a University of New Orleans alumna and former member of the Privateers track & field program, was recently crowned Mrs. New York America 2020 in a virtual ceremony hosted in Rochester, N.Y. in July.
On July 19, the 2020 Mrs. New York America pageant was scheduled to be held in person at the RIT Inn & Conference Center, located in the Rochester, New York. As a result of the pandemic, the pageant converted from in person to virtual. Each contestant had to submit three videos prior to the pageant: (1) Introduction, (2) Swimwear, and (3) Evening wear. The interview portion of the competition, which is worth 50% of your score was held on July 18, 2020 via Zoom. The interview was held before a six judge panel. During the Zoom, all three videos from the contestants were shown. At the end, each contestant was asked an "on-stage" question before the total votes were cast.
"Being awarded the prestigious title of Mrs. New York America has been an absolute honor, a wonderful high during this extraordinary year," Gumbs-Breakenridge said. "Despite the challenges that were brought in 2020, I am proud to have won the title this year. The Mrs. America Pageant system is the longest running and most prestigious pageant for married women, celebrating its 43th Anniversary in 2020. If there is anything that the pandemic has taught me is the importance of family, for which the Mrs. America pageant system stands."
It was the second time that Gumbs-Breakenridge competed in the pageant after being selected as first runner-up in 2018. She is now set to compete in the Mrs. America pageant that will be held at the end of January in Las Vegas.
"I was very excited when I heard my name called as the winner," Gumbs-Breakenridge said. "I remember waking up the next morning looking around to see if I was dreaming. It took about one week before it fully hit me that I had won. But I honestly still pinch myself. It was a long road to win my crown, and I put a lot of effort into winning. I am living a wonderful dream right now and am so excited!"
Gumbs-Breakenridge was born on the island of St. Thomas, United States Virgin Island and at a young age relocated with her family to New York City. She then attended UNO on a track & field scholarship before going on to study at the Appalachian School of Law in Virginia.
While at New Orleans, Gumbs-Breakenridge was an NCAA Leadership recipient and a Sun Belt Conference Track & Field finalist in the 100-meter dash and 4x200 and 4x400 meter relays while she earned a bachelor of arts in political science.
"Attending UNO on a Track & Field Scholarship and being a competitive athlete while obtaining a Bachelors Degree taught me the importance of time management," Gumbs-Breakenridge said. "Not only did I have to be successful on the track, I had to be successful academically. It has taught me how to be a well-rounded individual with a heart for service."
"Coming down to college in New Orleans, a city filled with so much culture and history was an amazing experience," she added. "It also taught me a lot of the lifestyle of living in the South, which is the complete opposite of growing up in New York City. By combining the best of the North and South, I am very well rounded and open to many different perspectives and cultures."
Gumbs-Breakenridge is now a commercial litigator and a member of the New York State Bar. She is a corporate litigator and has defended high profile cases against corporations in court and during mediation.
The former Privateer makes it a point to give back to her community. She is an advocate for academic and professional programs for child and young adults who are experiencing economic hardship and homelessness through her platform #ConfidenceComesFromWithin and is an active volunteer with the Salvation Army of Greater New York, Hunters Point Parks Conservancy and New York Cares, amongst other organizations.
For the past few years, Gumbs-Breakenridge has also served as a volunteer, mentor and council member at the Madison Square Boys and Girls Club in Manhattan, which provides after-school and summer programs for children between the ages of 6-18 in underserved communities in New York City. She has also partnered with the Salvation Army of Greater New York where she serves as a public speaker, mentor and volunteer.
Gumbs-Breakenridge is also an advocate for Victoria's Voice Foundation, that national charity for the Mrs. America Incorporation.
"My platform #ConfidenceComesFromWithin focuses on building confidence through mentorship in all children, especially those living in low socioeconomic neighborhoods," Gumbs-Breakenridge said. "With mentorship, there's a greater probability that children living in these neighborhoods will become successful both academically and professionally."
"It is important for me to give back to the state of New York and America because I was positively motivated by my track and field coach with the Metro Eagles Track & Field Club," she added. "He was a volunteer. He helped me get to the competitive college Division I level. Thereafter, I received a free college education and then attended law school."
I am a direct product of the positive impact a person can make through community service," Gumbs-Breakenridge concluded. "I truly believe in the importance of giving back to your community."
