Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Volunteers at So Others Might Eat

Gree(n)tings everyone!!!

I hope you and yours are doing well. I'm doing well, thanks be to God! I can't believe that in 4 days Miss Earth United States 2015 pageant weekend officially commences. I have truly enjoyed this journey as Miss Earth Maryland 2015 and serving the Old Line state. The preparation for the job of Miss Earth United States and the national pageant has enhanced my skills as well as pushed me out of my comfort zone in many ways. If you'll like to follow my preparation and journey, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Yesterday, Sunday July 19th, I volunteered at So Others Might Eat (SOME).

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Ms. Kristy (SOME hostess) and Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

SOME Volunteers: Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson  with Public Health Service officers

Yesterday morning/afternoon I served lunch along with other volunteers in the dining room. I have been volunteering at SOME for the past 3 years. SOME is an interfaith, community-based organization that helps the poor and homeless of our nation's capital, District of Columbia. SOME tries to meet the immediate daily needs of the people by providing food, clothing, and health care; they break the cycle of homelessness by offering services, such as affordable housing, job training, addiction treatment, and counseling, to the poor, the elderly and individuals with mental illness.

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson with SOME staff members, Ms. Spring and Ms. Kristy

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

USA: Proudly American
Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Ruby B. Johnson,

Your Miss Earth Maryland 2015

Continuing the legacy of beauty and responsibility

Help me compete at Miss Earth United States 2015. DONATE HERE

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Interview on WBFF Fox45 Morning News

Gree(n)tings everyone!!!

I hope you and yours are doing well. I'm doing awesome, thanks be to God! I can't believe that 3 days from today I'll be on a plane heading to Ontario, California for the 2015 Miss Earth USA 2015 pageant to represent my beautiful Blue Crab state! My time of service as Miss Earth Maryland has been one of the greatest experiences of my life thus far, given me the opportunity to learn a lot as well as travel and meet amazing people. Now, I am looking forward to the experience in California and trusting God for favor in the final results on July 26th. This past Saturday, July 18th, I had a live interview on WBFF Fox45's Morning News in their Baltimore studios.

Miss Earth Maryland USA 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss Earth Maryland USA 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

The TV interview was a success. I had a great time talking with Tony Pagnotti. Thanks to Fox 45, especially the Morning News producer, Marie Mandelberg, for having me and giving me the opportunity to talk about being Miss Earth Maryland, my Beauties for a Cause initiative, mining, and many more! Special thanks to all who tuned in to watch the interview via television or online. The full interview is posted on the Fox Baltimore website. Check it out!

VIDEO

Miss Earth Maryland USA 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss Earth Maryland USA 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

My outfit for the interview: bright orange jumpsuit! Did you know that orange is associated with joy and the tropics, and represents happiness, creativity, and determination? It's also a key color for Maryland's baseball team, Baltimore Orioles. The Baltimore oriole is our state bird!

Miss Earth Maryland USA 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Ruby B. Johnson,

Your Miss Earth Maryland 2015

Continuing the legacy of beauty and responsibility

Help me compete at Miss Earth United States 2015. DONATE HERE

9 days till Miss Earth United States 2015 Pageant

Gree(n)tings everyone!!!

I hope you and yours are doing well. I'm doing well, thanks be to God! I can't believe that in 9 days Miss Earth United States 2015 pageant weekend officially commences. I have truly enjoyed this journey as Miss Earth Maryland 2015 and serving my Blue Crab state. The preparation for the job of Miss Earth United States and the national pageant has enhanced my skills as well as pushed me out of my comfort zone in many ways. This is one of the reasons why I love the Miss Earth system because it empowers women to be well-rounded in embracing womanhood, being compassionate, and as well as champions for our environment. I am a woman of the earth! If you'll like to follow my preparation and journey, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. The hashtag on all social media is #MDforMEUS

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson
Official Headshot for Miss Earth United States Pageant
Photo by Prince Zamira Photography

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

I am a firm believer that it takes a village to create a phenomenal woman and man. Therefore, I am so grateful for those in and outside of my circle who have been influential in my life, and those I have crossed paths with in various ways. I am thankful for my blessings and lessons in this journey thus far. I am grateful to my sponsors: mom, dad, family, and friends; Dr. Fuambai Sia Ahmadu (CEO of Miss Sierra Leone USA Leadership Pageant); Prince Zamira Photography; and FO Fitness. Additionally, I am so grateful for my pageant mentor, Ms. Bonnie, for polishing my talents and challenging me to be the best Ruby I can be. In the time leading towards the national pageant, I have been getting ready dilligently so I can be the full package in representing my Old Line State and being the best of myself. I am ready for the job as Miss Earth United States.

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

What I love about Miss Earth is its unique mission of advocating for the preservation of our environment; among the many international pageants, it is the only pageant that advocates for a cause like this and gives women a platform to be "Beauties for a Cause." Having received my undergraduate degree in mining engineering from Virginia Tech, my field of interest directly impacts the earth. Therefore, I am using this platform as a Miss Earth titleholder to advocate for my passion of mining but also promote and cultivate ways that the industry moves towards a sustainable future. It is possible for an individual to support the mining industry but also care about the environment. Hence the reason my platform is "Bridging The Gap: Miners and Environmentalists Must Work Together for Mother Earth!" I am looking forward to sharing this platform with everyone at nationals, and nationwide as Miss Earth United States 2015.

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

The three great elemental sounds in nature are the sound of rain, the sound of wind in a primeval wood, and the sound of outer ocean on a beach. - American writer and naturalist Henry Beston.

Ruby B. Johnson,

Your Miss Earth Maryland 2015

Continuing the legacy of beauty and responsibility

Help me compete at Miss Earth United States 2015. DONATE HERE

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Tours Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station

Gree(n)tings everyone!!!

I hope you and yours are doing well. I've been busy getting ready for nationals but also continuing my service as Miss Earth Maryland exploring my beautiful state and advocating for my Beauties for a Cause project. I'm so excited that two weeks from today I'll be getting ready to head to California for the opportunity for the job of Miss Earth United States. I've been working a lot and smart as Miss Earth Maryland, and by God's grace I hope to continue this on a bigger platform as Miss Earth US. All modesty aside, I want this really bad but as a Christ-believer, I know it's in God's hands. If you'll like to follow my preparation and journey, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

On Monday, July 6, I took a tour of the Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station in Derwood, Maryland. This is the first stop for all recycled materials and wastes in Montgomery County. Residents can also drop off various wastes such as electronics, batteries, yard waste, clothing and textiles, scrap metals, etc. Being in the recycling center reminded me of a mine processing plants because of the conveyor system, front-end loaders, trommels, etc. they use to transport, sort, and breakdown the materials. For foot safety, I wore my steel-toe boots to the plant. During the tour, I wore earplugs in the plant, because it is very loud in there with all the machines in operation. I am so proud to be a Montgomery County resident, a county that is environmentally- and socially-responsible. Special thanks to Mr. Edward Murtagh of GreenWheaton for taking me to the plant, showing me around, and explaining the processes in details.

Miss Earth Maryland Ruby B. Johnson

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson
Green Queen: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

The 3Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - The triangle in the recycling sign represents the Waste Hierarchy. The universal recycling symbol was created in 1970 by college student Gary Anderson as part of a contest tied to the very first Earth Day. Each arrow of the design represents one of the steps in the recycling process: collecting the recyclable goods after use, breaking them down and reforming them, and then packaging new products in the containers.

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson
Panoramic view of recycling plant
Click photo to enlarge

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Here's a link of where recyclables and trash are received and processed in Montgomery County.



Ruby B. Johnson,

Your Miss Earth Maryland 2015

Continuing the legacy of beauty and responsibility

Help me compete at Miss Earth United States 2015. DONATE HERE

Miss Earth Maryland Participates in Takoma Park's 2015 Independence Parade

Gree(n)tings everyone!!!

I hope you and yours are doing well. I've been busy getting ready for nationals but also continuing my service as Miss Earth Maryland exploring my beautiful state and advocating for my Beauties for a Cause project. I'm so excited that two weeks from today I'll be getting ready to head to California for the opportunity for the job of Miss Earth United States. I've been working a lot and smart as Miss Earth Maryland, and by God's grace I hope to continue this on a bigger platform as Miss Earth US. All modesty aside, I want this really bad but as a Christ-believer, I know it's in God's hands. If you'll like to follow my preparation and journey, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

On Independence Day, July 4th, I was scheduled to be one of the participants in Takoma Park's 126th Independence Day Celebration. This year, the city of Takoma Park celebrates its 125th birthday. The Independence Day Celebration in Takoma Park is believed to be one of the oldest along the Atlantic coast. Although I am not a resident of Takoma Park, I am proud to have attended high school in that area at Montgomery Blair. The events were planned, directed, and financed mainly by the efforts of the all-volunteer Takoma Park Independence Day Committee, with the cooperation of the Departments of the City of Takoma Park and the Mayor and Council.

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

The parade was supposed to have started at 10 a.m. but Mother Nature had different plans and wanted to bless us with showers of blessings. Organizers delayed the start to 30-35 minutes and I had to resort to a backup plan for my transportation to accommodate the weather conditions. My car sponsor could not make it because of the heavy rain that morning, and did not want to mess up their vehicle. As a woman of the earth, I decided to make a way because the show must go on. So I decided to sit on the car door and wave to folks while driving the parade route. I lead the Division IV group at the parade. I was pleasantly surprised at the amount of folks who came out for the parade after the rain stopped. I had a great time and what an honor to have been part of Takoma Park's Annual Independence Day celebration! My arms hurt from all the waving and cheeks from smiling but so worth it after seeing the excitement in the kids' faces and friendly folks in the crowd. Thank you for being amazing, Maryland. You made me more proud to be a Marylander and American on that day. Also, it was great seeing some familiar faces in the crowd, and got to interview with media folks talking about the Miss Earth US pageant, the work of MEO, and my time of service as Miss Earth Maryland.

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

P.S.: I am very proud of the signs I used for my vehicle. I did them myself. Attention to detail is key for me so the colors were important; colors were brown (soil), green (earth), blue (U.S. flag), black (Maryland flag), red (U.S. and Maryland flags), and yellow (Maryland flag). I know and I've always been told that my handwriting is chicken scratch, so seeing this result is a masterpiece in my "humble" opinion. I put a lot of work in making it, so I was very determined to use it. I was amazed that the poster survived the heavy rain and fluctuating weather condition!

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Ruby B. Johnson,

Your Miss Earth Maryland 2015

Continuing the legacy of beauty and responsibility

Help me compete at Miss Earth United States 2015. DONATE HERE

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Visits United States Department of Agriculture Headquarters

Gree(n)tings everyone!!!

I hope you and yours are doing well. I've been busy getting ready for nationals but also continuing my service duties as Miss Earth Maryland exploring my beautiful state and advocating for my Beauties for a Cause project. I'm so excited that two weeks from today I'll be getting ready to head to California for the opportunity for the job of Miss Earth United States. I've been working a lot and smart as Miss Earth Maryland, and by God's grace I hope to continue this on a bigger platform as Miss Earth US. All modesty aside, I want this really bad but as a Christ-believer, I know it's in God's hands. If you'll like to follow my preparation and journey, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

On June 30th, I visited The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) office in our nation's capital, District of Columbia. USDA is the federal executive department responsible for developing and executing federal government policy on farming, agriculture, forestry, and food. It aims to meet the needs of farmers and ranchers, promote agricultural trade and production, work to assure food safety,protect natural resources, foster rural communities and end hunger in the United States and internationally. I got a tour of the building and learned about the different departments and spoke to some folks who work there. My tour was done by the Sustainability Manager in the Office of Operations, Mr. Edward Murtagh; I know Mr. Murtagh through GreenWheaton, an organization I'm a proud volunteer of. This office actively promotes sustainable practices in the country and in the office. I got to see ways in which they practice this in the building's cafeteria with biodegradable containers, techno trash bins for disposing batteries and old electronics, rain gardens, etc.

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Did you know that the USDA Administration Building is also known as the Jamie L. Whitten Building? The USDA headquarters projects into the National Mall from the larger USDA South Building, and is the only building on the Mall that is not intended for use by the general public. It was the first large Beaux-Arts style building in Washington and set the prototype for the later buildings of the Federal Triangle. The Whitten Building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. In addition to getting my tour of the building, I was granted access to the rooftop. Check out the beautiful view of our nation's capital. A view of the city including the National Mall, Washington Monument, Smithsonian museums, etc.

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Ruby B. Johnson,

Your Miss Earth Maryland 2015

Continuing the legacy of beauty and responsibility

Help me compete at Miss Earth United States 2015. DONATE HERE

Miss Earth Maryland Attends GreenWheaton's 2015 Anniversary Gala

Gree(n)tings everyone!!!

I hope you and yours are doing well. I've been busy getting ready for nationals but enjoying every moment of it. I'm so excited that two weeks from today I'll be getting ready to head to California for the opportunity for the job of Miss Earth United States. I've been working a lot and smart as Miss Earth Maryland, and by God's grace I hope to continue this on a bigger platform as Miss Earth US. All modesty aside, I want this really bad but as a Christ-believer, I know it's in God's hands. If you'll like to follow my preparation and journey, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

On June 25th, I attended GreenWheaton's Anniversary Gala in Wheaton, Maryland. As their volunteer, I spent the first hour and half welcoming guests to the event; afterwards I joined the rest of the attendees. The purpose of this event was to celebrate their successes in four years of non-profit educational work and green initiatives in the Wheaton community, as well as serve as a fundraiser for their continuing efforts of living and working “green” into the future. I'm grateful for this wonderful organization because they gave me an opportunity to talk about my endeavors as Miss Earth Maryland, as well as my upcoming trip to compete for Miss Earth United States. Ms. Wendy, GreenWheaton Executive Director, also pleaded with guests to help contribute financially to my trip and expenses for nationals. I'm grateful for those that made donations, and well-wishers who are rooting for me to bring that crown to Maryland for the first time! I absolutely love my job as Miss Earth MD, and it feels great to know that folks support and appreciate the work you are doing!

Wendy Howard (GreenWheaton Executive Director) and Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Hank Dearden, III (Senior Director of Operations at Trees for the Future) and Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Overall, I had a great time. It was great to meet and mingle with folks working towards a sustainable Wheaton and all of Maryland, and learn about their initiatives. The foodie I am also really enjoyed the delicious food provided by the food sponsors. I even brought home some food after the event.

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Ruby B. Johnson,

Your Miss Earth Maryland 2015

Continuing the legacy of beauty and responsibility

Help me compete at Miss Earth United States 2015. DONATE HERE

My Green Maryland - Montgomery County's Efforts Against Styrofoam Use

Gree(n)tings everyone!!!

I hope you and yours are doing well. I am doing great, thanks be to God! In today's edition of My Green Maryland, I'll be talking about styrofoam products, its environmental effects, and Maryland's actions towards them. Styrofoam is a closed-cell extruded polystyrene foam currently made for thermal insulation and craft applications. In the United States, the word styrofoam incorrectly refers to expanded (not extruded) polystyrene foam, such as disposable coffee cups, coolers, or cushioning material in packaging, which is typically white and is made of expanded polystyrene beads. The United States Environmental Protection Agency and International Agency for Research on Cancer have determined styrene as a possible human carcinogen. The National Bureau of Standards Center for Fire Research found 57 chemical by-products released during the combustion of expanded polystyrene foam. Studies show styrofoam products don't biodegrade and cannot be recycled.

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson
Photo by Prince Zamira Photography

In previous posts, I have mentioned how my county, Montgomery County, is one of the most environmentally- and socially-responsible counties in Maryland. On January 20, 2015, the Montgomery County Council approved a ban of environmentally harmful styrofoam plates, trays, cups and carryout trays; the Council approved the ban by an 8-0 vote. The bill bans the use of all polystyrene foam food service products and the sale of polystyrene loose fill packaging (known as packing peanuts) starting Jan. 1, 2016 in Montgomery County. It also requires the county government and its contractors to use only compostable or recyclable "single-use disposable food service ware," such as plates, bowls, cups and eating utensils.The same requirement will go in to effect for private businesses on January 1, 2017, this includes sale of styrofoam containers in grocery stores. Among the items the bill covers: foam containers, plates, cups, trays and egg cartons. Products packaged outside the county for delivery to those in the food service business will be exempt from the ban, as will materials often used to package raw meat, seafood and poultry.

Styrofoam Foodware Products

The ban does not apply to Montgomery County Public Schools, but the system has already moved away from foam trays to paper ones, as of this school year. They do still have some foam cups and plates on the premises, but continue to seek cost-effective alternatives. Polystyrene foam comprises a quarter to as much as 40 percent of the floatable trash collected in the Anacostia River watershed. The tiny pieces it breaks into release toxic chemicals into the water, and absorb other chemicals--and then they are often eaten by fish and other aquatic life, polluting our food chain. Bravo, Montgomery County. I'm proud to call you my home county!

Ruby B. Johnson,

Your Miss Earth Maryland 2015

Continuing the legacy of beauty and responsibility

Help me compete at Miss Earth United States 2015. DONATE HERE

Credits: 

Bethesda Magazine

Trash Free Maryland