Outgoing Mrs Universe Jamaica still passionate about philanthropy
Olivia Smikle was never interested in pageantry. Her first love was philanthropy and playing an active role in community building.
Last year, she was selected as the Jamaican representative to the Mrs Universe pageant which took place earlier this year in Bulgaria. Mrs Universe is an annual international event for “the most honourable married woman”. The event is open to married, divorced, and widowed women from nations on all continents around the world, who are between the ages of 18 and 55, have a family and career, and are involved in a “significant cause”.
“My story is unique. I was never a pageant girl; my background is in law enforcement. I was always approached about modelling and pageantry, and I always declined, but there was something about it this time and I felt compelled to do it,” Smikle explained. “While serving in the JCF (Jamaica Constabulary Force) years ago, I was heavily involved in community development. I later migrated to Canada where I was living but not feeling fulfilled. I always felt like a part of me was missing. After connecting the dots, I realised entering a pageant was the perfect platform to drive my philanthropic journey.”
As the reigning Mrs Universe Jamaica, Smikle was able to build partnerships with sister queens from countries around the world and work on initiatives to support communities, health and educational programmes.
“Being a public figure has allowed me to live a life that is exemplary to our youths. My philanthropic activities will be carried out through my foundation, The Olivia Smikle Foundation,” she explained.
A native of the parish of Manchester, the 37-year-old Smikle is divorced.
“I grew up in the rural community call Banana Ground. At an early age I started participating in sports, track and field and netball. Growing up here has instilled my appreciation for family, nature and community. This was what motivated me to accomplish my dream job in law enforcement. I was also able to help women faced with domestic abuse, human trafficking and violence. After law enforcement, my journey with community involvement did not end there. With my philanthropic mindset, this led me to pageantry. Now, I’m the reigning queen Mrs Universe Jamaica 2022 and my commitment is to lead a foundation dedicated to providing financial, educational and material resources to support youths in need, with special focus on early learning and talented/gifted children,” said Smikle.
She attended Cumberland All Age and later Bellefield High School and she pursued a bachelor’s in psychology at the International University of the Caribbean.
She migrated to Canada 10 years ago.
“After returning home from competing in Mrs Universe in Bulgaria, I packed up and came home on a one-way ticket. I’m hoping to complete my reign here in Jamaica,” Smikle disclosed.
She currently resides in Manchester where, along with her sister, they operate a new and used car business called Presidential New and Used Auto Sales.
Smikle’s reign as Mrs Universe Jamaica 2022 comes to an end on July 8 at the AC Hotel Kingston, when a new titleholder will be crowned.
