No limits for this single mum
Aphlebotomist with a passion for the glitz and glamour of beauty pageants, Stephanie Trinh is as comfortable in a lab coat as she is on stage in a glittering evening gown.
The single mother of two has just returned home from Sydney where she was crowned Ms Australia Global United at MAQuest, much to the delight of her daughters Felicity, 12, and Azalea, 8, who are also her biggest fans.
“They were so happy for me,” the Manning mum toldAAA of her children’s reaction to her latest accolade.
“They posted about it on Instagram and told everyone at school. They were very excited and even took selfies with the crown on as soon as I got home.”
In-between juggling her career, motherhood and studying for a masters in pharmacy at Curtin University, the 29-year-old doesn’t often find time for herself, so being able to take a few days out of her busy schedule to focus on pageant proceedings was a welcome rarity.
“It was nice to do something for myself,” Trinh said.
“Being a single mum, or even just being a mum in general, you always put all of your effort into your kids and you’re always thinking about what’s good for their future.
“When I had that break away and my focus changed towards the pageant I realised that I haven’t had any ‘me time’.
“I’ve learnt that I need a balance.”
Riding high after MAQuest, where she was appraised on her personality, poise and fund- raising for ovarian cancer research, Trinh hopes her recent success inspires others to step out of their comfort zone and attempt something out of the ordinary.
“My daughters see me taking part and, because we’re close, they know they can do it too,” she explained. “I hope that I’ve given them a good foundation in their life to know that they can take things on.
“Life doesn’t end when you’re a single mum. Whatever you enjoyed before becoming a mum is still available to you. There are really no limits or boundaries and the opportunities are still there.”
