My Best Self: Caroline Jeffords

Before Caroline Jeffords ever stepped foot onto a stage, she already exuded beauty, grace, and confidence. Her experience serving as Miss Georgia USA and representing the Southern state at Miss USA in 2004 in Los Angeles only enhanced those qualities. Today, the 39-year-old uses the skills the pageant world helped her develop to give back to the Atlanta community through her work as a board and committee member for nonprofits and as an active stay-at-home mom.

By Alex McCray

What is your definition of beauty? I feel that a woman’s beauty comes from her inner character, dignity, and values. When the confidence and strength that comes from knowing our value is expressed through kindness and compassion, that is when we exude true beauty.

How can people find their true beauty? The first step to finding your true beauty is to identify the unique gifts and talents that you have been blessed with and then to find ways to use those gifts to benefit those around you.

How and why did you get started in pageants? I chose to enter Miss Georgia USA after being encouraged by several friends who were familiar with the Miss USA system. After some research, I decided that participating would be a fun way to challenge myself and serve as a unique opportunity to meet new people and enjoy new experiences.

What have you learned from participating in these competitions? To compete successfully, Miss USA requires a significant amount of preparation, discipline, and organization. For me, the experience helped to reinforce these life skills that are vital to the realization of your goals, whether it be success in athletics, accomplishment in the business world, or raising a family.

What do you like to do in your spare time? I enjoy being actively involved with my daughter’s school. Wesleyan School has been a tremendous blessing to our family and provides so many wonderful opportunities to engage with my daughter during and after school. At Wesleyan, community service is a priority, and I have enjoyed participating in their annual Capture the Warmth coat drive and the Serving Others after-school enrichment class with my daughter. The annual Artist Market is also a favorite family tradition. It’s a phenomenal opportunity to shop for amazing art and for students and local artists to work together and engage with our community.

Why is volunteering important to you? What organizations are you currently working with? There are so many worthy charities here in Atlanta that you can’t possibly support them all. You have to find organizations whose mission touches your heart. I have chosen to be involved with Mercy Care, Atlanta Ballet, and Open Hand.

Who helps you be your “best self?” My faith and family are my foundation. They are the bedrock for my loyalty, trust, and cooperation. It is where I truly begin to learn to love, bear one another’s burdens, find meaning and purpose in my life, and feel the value of being part of something greater than myself.

Tell us more about your faith and family being your foundation. As a Christian, my faith is the most important aspect of my life, with my love for my family being second. We attend Perimeter Church in Johns Creek and have been members there since 2010. My ultimate purpose is to try to reflect the love that God has shown us by working to make life better for others.