Conversations with Lydia Fisher

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lydia Fisher.

Hi Lydia, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My dream to compete on the Miss Volunteer America stage began like every little girl; watching pageants like Miss USA and Miss America on TV. I dreamt it, but didn’t believe I could be it. Growing up with a learning disability, I never thought I was good enough to be like those women on the screen. But one day when I finally stuck my neck out and entered my first local pageant, there was no going back! I am a singer and a philanthropist, and pageantry welcomes all of those qualities about me and celebrates it. And it turned into a journey of self-discovery!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely has not been a smooth road, but the rewards have made it all worth it. I have lost more pageants than I have ever won, and came close to almost giving up. Growing up with an auditory processing disorder, it affected my communication skills for a long time. But by learning to push past the struggles I had specifically in the interview room, I repurposed my “why” and turned into an opportunity to motivate other young women like me who feel like an outsider due to their learning disability. I turned my pain into purpose!

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As Miss Michigan Volunteer 2025, I am a state ambassador for the Salvation Army and St. Jude through the Miss Volunteer Organization. MVA is a nationwide, service-oriented scholarship program based in Tennessee that seeks to empower young women across the country through educational scholarships and extraordinary opportunities. My own personal SERVE Initiative is titled “Lydia’s Light” which I would describe as an umbrella platform regarding learning disability awareness, the national philanthropies (St. Jude and Salvation Army), and veterans related causes! Through my platform, I have been able to share my story of overcoming a learning disability with children and adults alike, raised money for veterans-related causes, advocate with our legislative representatives, lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington, VA, performed on diverse stages, and raise record funds for St. Jude and the Salvation Army. I am so proud to have traveled across my community and throughout the country to promote the importance of programs like Miss Volunteer America! If you would like to donate towards my campaign for St. Jude, follow the link to my fundraising page!

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
My dream is to move to Washington, D.C. and with the scholarships I hope to gain by competing on the national level, I will enroll to complete my masters in Communications and Public Policy. While I don’t necessarily see myself running for office, I would love to play a key role in a campaign or even a major non-profit team in a communications role. Singing has always been another passion of mine, so if there’s anyway I could continue doing that in a certain capacity, I will!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/missmivol
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1MiRvMQrmu/
• Twitter: https://x.com/MissMIVol25/status/1873811866558124042
• Other: https://fundraising.stjude.org/site/TR/TAEvents/Events