Former Miss World shares story of courage, triumph at Capes and Crowns event

by CARLA HINTON
Published: Tue, May 28, 2019 5:00 AM

Guests from the nonprofit Dress for Success wear purple crowns for a picture at Oklahoma Israel Exchange's "Capes and Crowns" luncheon on May 13 at The Jones Assembly. [Photo provided]

It took 10 years for Linor Abargil to break her silence, but when she did, she told the world.

The Israeli beauty queen was abducted and sexually assaulted two months before she was to compete in the Miss World pageant in 1998.

She was elated when she was crowned Miss World, and she moved forward with her life, but she didn't talk about what happened to her until she realized that doing so would be freeing.

Abargil told her story of courage and triumph at the Oklahoma Israel Exchange's recent "Capes and Crowns" luncheon at The Jones Assembly, 901 W Sheridan.

"Most people don't speak about the hard things about their life. They think it's easier to put it under the covers," she said. "I believe the hard things build you to something stronger."

A crowd of 350 people, mostly women, listened as Abargil told her inspirational tale. Her story was chronicled in the documentary "Brave Miss World."

The luncheon theme was designed to support and applaud Abargil's courage and the courage of the many women in attendance: Capes and Crowns: "Sparkling Like a Super SHEro." Along those lines, women were given light-up purple crowns to wear, and many of the attendees wore purple capes in honor of the super "Shero" theme. Inspirational signs were posted throughout the venue with slogans like "Fix your crown, tie your cap, conquer your world," "Kind heart, fierce mind, brave spirit" and "Have a life that causes your soul to dance."

Edie Roodman, executive director of the Oklahoma Israel Exchange (OKIE), said the nonprofit is working with other nonprofits — like Palomar, ReMerge, Dress for Success and City Rescue Mission — that aim to help women struggling with life challenges. Roodman said the leaders of those organizations and some of the women they serve attended the luncheon, which was designed to empower and encourage attendees.

Among the organizers and guests were women whose names are widely recognized across the state, including Oklahoma's first lady Sarah Stitt, former Gov. Mary Fallin and former Oklahoma first ladies Kim Henry, Cathy Keating, Rhonda Walters and Donna Nigh. Oklahoma City University President Martha Burger was honored with OKIE's Light Leadership Legacy award in celebration of the organization's longstanding partnership with the OCU Wanda Bass School of Music and Burger's distinction of serving as OCU's first female president.

OKIE was created in 1992 by Gov. David Walters to encourage mutually beneficial collaboration between Oklahoma and the State of Israel. The organization has taken the previous four governors and first ladies, as well as Chickasaw Nation Gov. Bill Anoatubby, on trips to Israel to meet with high-profile leaders in all areas of Israeli government, to solidify bonds that exist between the two states.

Hopeful message

Roodman said she knew Abargil's uplifting message would be warmly received by Oklahomans.

"After I heard her at an event in St. Louis, I thought she would strike a chord with many women, many women and men, but particularly women," Roodman said. "She came so far with such a powerful message."

Abargil said she went into therapy after she was assaulted in Milan, Italy, to help her deal with the brutal attack. She said she got married to her husband, Oran Halfon, and went on to do many things that she believed were part of her purpose in life. Ten years after the assault, she made the difficult decision to begin talking publicly about what happened.

She has been pleased to see that her story resonates with many women, even those who are not victims of sexual violence. She travels around the globe speaking out against sexual violence and encouraging victims to stay strong.

Discussing the attack that shattered her life has not been without challenges of its own. She said the film about her experience is often shown either in its entirety or in snippets before she gets up to speak, and "it is hard to watch."

"It brings you back. It's not a script — it's your life," she said.

However, Abargil said it is all worth it when trauma victims and others share their own stories with her and let her know how much her courage helps to encourage them.

"They thank God that someone they can look up to is speaking up," she said.

"Brave Miss World" is supported by grants from Women in Film, Foundation for Jewish Culture, Artemis Rising Foundation and The Fledging Fund.

Meanwhile, Roodman said she was touched to see that some of the women from the guest nonprofit agencies were eager to chat with Abargil by the event's end.

"The whole event was meant to inspire and let women know they can do it and they can rise up," Roodman said. "It circles back to the Jewish tenant 'tikkun olam' — 'repair the world' — and 'mitzvot' — 'to do a good deed.'"

http://oklahoman.com/article/5632241/former-miss-world-shares-story-of-courage-triumph-at-capes-and-crowns-event