Meet the Cover Woman: Mrs. New York America 2024
In this edition of Rochester Woman Online, we are honored to feature an inspiring woman who embodies resilience, perseverance, and the power of following one’s dreams—Mrs. New York America 2024 Kathy Lovett-McKeever. Her journey from a small-town girl with big aspirations to a crown-winning titleholder is a testament to the strength of self-belief and dedication. With a passion for CPR education and a commitment to making a difference in her community, she’s not only a pageant queen but a hero in her own right.
This remarkable woman has spent years chasing her dreams, overcoming challenges, and empowering others along the way. As she reflects on her path to the Mrs. New York crown, she shares with us the highs, the hurdles, and the heart that has driven her to become the inspiring figure she is today.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your background?
I grew up in the small town of Bergen, NY, with five amazing sisters. Growing up, I had pretty severe social anxiety. I struggled with my identity and figuring out who I was “meant” to be, but I had dreams. I could picture myself doing something big and impactful, but I didn’t know what that “thing” was.
At the age of 15, I became a lifeguard, which is when I first learned how to perform CPR. Then in college, I became a lifeguard and CPR instructor while earning my degree in meteorology and meeting my now-husband, Glenn. Now, 13 years later, I am still a CPR instructor and live with Glenn in Buffalo. We love gardening, weather watching, and cheering on the Buffalo Bills.
When did you know that competing in pageants was something you wanted to pursue?
I had always wanted to do a pageant since I was a kid and saw a beauty queen in a parade. I wanted to know more! How did they earn the title of ‘princess?’ That’s what originally sparked my curiosity. Then I saw pageants on TV and realized there was so much more to it than wearing a pretty dress and trying to get a crown. These women had incredible journeys, meaningful platforms, and worked hard in their communities. That’s when I really wanted to be part of it! I competed in my first pageant at 26 when Glenn proposed to me. If I wanted to compete as a Miss, it was now or never. Soon after that first pageant, I discovered the Mrs. America system and set a new goal: to be on the Mrs. America stage. Eight years later, I finally had that dream come true.
How did you prepare yourself for the competition for Mrs. New York America?
It wasn’t just the physical part of the competition, like working with a trainer. Much of the preparation is about mental and emotional health as well. I wanted to make sure I was fully prepared for the interview so that I could confidently answer any question. I did several mock interviews and carried a Ziploc bag of 50 popular pageant questions everywhere with me. Whenever I had downtime, I’d pull a question out and answer it on the spot within 30 seconds. I also practiced my walk at my gym after almost every workout because I wanted to practice while tired, which is exactly how it feels at Nationals!
What was the first thought that went through your mind when you won the title of Mrs. New York America 2024?
We did it. On my third try, I finally won the crown. This was a moment I had dreamed about for eight years!
What was the first thing you did after winning the title?
I actually won during CPR Awareness Week! So, whether I won the crown or not, I had an appearance planned on Daytime Buffalo to teach viewers how to perform CPR. Now, almost the same situation—only two days after coming back from Mrs. America in Vegas—I’ll be teaching Hands-Only CPR at an event sponsored by Damar Hamlin’s foundation, Chasing M’s.
What do you do when you’re not promoting the pageant?
Honestly, I feel like I’m always promoting the pageant! Even when I’m not wearing my crown and sash, I’m always trying to promote my platform and the Mrs. America system. As a titleholder, you’re always “on.”
What platform or cause are you most passionate about, and how do you advocate for it?
I advocate for CPR education through my platform, “Be the Everyday Hero,” as a CPR instructor in my community. The majority of cardiac arrests occur outside of hospitals, so victims rely on bystanders to step in and know what to do. The sooner compressions are performed and the sooner an AED arrives, the chances of survival can triple. I also partner with Victoria’s Voice as a Beauty for Good ambassador. During my CPR classes, I teach Narcan administration and advocate that Narcan should be kept with AEDs. There was a time when I brought an AED to a man in cardiac arrest, and I saw a needle next to him. The man needed Narcan. The EMTs arrived and used four doses to revive him. It was a close call. If we had Narcan with the AED, we could have administered it on the scene.
How has being Mrs. New York America changed your life so far?
Even being Mrs. Buffalo changed my life! The opportunities and experiences that come with stepping outside of your comfort zone make the journey absolutely worth all the hard work and time you put in. I’ve been invited onto the field at Buffalo Bills games, thrown out the first pitch at Bisons games, kick-started modeling, and even helped judge a national mullet contest!
What has been your most memorable experience during your reign?
I feel so blessed to have had so many opportunities over the last year. I was invited this year and last year, as Mrs. Buffalo, to hold a flag at the Bills stadium before kickoff and dance on the field during the halftime show. I’ll be doing the same thing at the Bills home opener this year!
What role has your husband played in your journey, and what does he think about all of this?
Last year, after not making the finals at Mrs. New York, I was pretty crushed. But if you have a dream in your heart, it’s there for a reason. I looked at Glenn and said, “What if I try just one more time?” He jumped up and said, “Let’s do this!” That spark of encouragement was just what I needed to compete one more time. And hey, the third time was a charm!
How do you balance your personal life with your responsibilities as Mrs. New York America?
Luckily, my work makes it easy! As a Food Safety Manager at Wegmans, I have a pretty flexible schedule that allows me time to volunteer in my community and prep for Mrs. America. On several occasions, events I’m volunteering at are also supported by Wegmans as a sponsor! I’ve also picked up modeling, which I’ve really enjoyed.
What advice would you give to other women who are considering entering pageants?
Do it! “Stay afraid, but do it anyway. What’s important is the action. You don’t have to wait to be confident.” – Carrie Fisher.
If you wait until you feel “ready” or “confident” enough, you could just keep waiting! Work with a coach to help you prepare, and take the leap. Even if you don’t win, it is absolutely worth it. You will have people guiding you along the journey.
Can you share something interesting about yourself that others may not know?
Many people look at me and ask how I can “radiate” such confidence, but that’s not totally the case. It took a lot for me to get to this moment. I used to have severe social anxiety and was truly afraid to speak to people. But I wanted to become a pageant titleholder, and I knew that was something I would need to overcome. I slowly started putting myself outside of my comfort zone by talking to strangers. Wegmans even had me take the Dale Carnegie class to help me become a better speaker. It’s okay to be unsure of yourself, but you need to push through and believe in yourself. The confidence will follow.
What are your plans for the future, both personally and professionally?
Good question! Getting to the Mrs. America stage was an eight-year goal of mine. So what’s next? I’ll need some time to figure that out, but hopefully, it won’t take another eight years!
How do you feel this year’s competition was different from previous years that you’ve participated in?
This was my third year trying for the crown, and I thought, it’s now or never. Having not made the finals the previous two years, I knew I needed to change my approach. I had to push through any previous roadblocks. I still had my guard up and hadn’t fully opened up to anyone. At the same time I was preparing for Mrs. New York, I was also nominated as a Woman of Impact for the American Heart Association. I was in a blind competition to try and raise as much money as possible in a nine-week timeframe. My heart set a goal of $10,000, but my brain kept saying, “Maybe you should stick with $3,000…”
That’s when it clicked for me. I needed to stop listening to my brain and follow my heart. And we did it. My team raised $10,000 in nine weeks, and I won Buffalo’s inaugural Woman of Impact.
What challenges have you faced in the pageant world, and how have you overcome them?
I used to let other contestants intimidate me, and I would compare myself to them. While I admired the other women and their accomplishments, this year, I stayed totally focused on myself, recited positive affirmations, and took pride in my achievements. Anytime I felt down or distracted, I just thought of my “why.”
What was the experience like at the national Mrs. America pageant?
Even better than I had imagined. I spent almost two weeks in Vegas. Don’t get me wrong, my feet are feeling it! But I was running on adrenaline and a dream, so the early mornings, late nights, and time in heels were worth it! I think the best part was drinking champagne in the iconic Elvis suite at the Westgate hotel. It was such a beautiful luxury suite, with so many fine details. It was like stepping into a moment in history.
How do you stay grounded and focused with all the attention and responsibilities that come with your title?
My family is a huge reason why I stay grounded. Having six sisters helps keep me focused! I have help from my friends! The best part about being a New York title holder, is that we have such a strong presence of formers that help guide us and prepare us for Nationals as well as Diane Hardgrove, a former Mrs World and the greatest director that truly believes in each and every I also try to take time each day to check in with myself and set small goals. Every night, I set an alarm for 7 p.m. to write down a list of things I want to accomplish. I then add to it, including new things I didn’t originally write down but have accomplished that day.
What are your thoughts on how pageantry has evolved over the years, particularly in terms of women’s empowerment?
Pageantry is about so much more than beauty. It’s about how we serve others and help our communities. You get to hear other women’s stories and how they got to where they are. It’s inspirational.
What legacy do you hope to leave behind as Mrs. New York America?
Even though I did not win Mrs America, I stayed true to myself and I would not change a thing. Another thing, kindness matters. People will forget what you say but they’ll never forget how you made them feel. And of course, Over the last year, I’ve taught thousands Hands-Only CPR.
