Megan Bomgaars Receives Prestigious Advocacy Award at International Star-Studded Event
Megan Bomgaars’ rise to stardom began with a high school speech entitled, “Don’t Limit Me!” From there she joined the Emmy Award-winning reality show, “Born this Way” after which she launched a clothing line, “Megalogy.” Following this, she partnered with ArtPop Cosmetics creating and promoting custom lipstick colors and brand. An impressive line of accomplishments, especially for a 26-year-old, and she shows no sign of slowing down.
Most recently Megan accepted the Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award at the annual Be Beautiful, Be Yourself Gala Fashion Show event hosted by the Global Down Syndrome Foundation. “This award recognizes those who have championed people who are differently-abled, including people with Down syndrome, in several categories such as humanitarian work, self-advocacy, and public service.” Michelle Sie-Whitten, President and CEO of the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, praised Megan as “A leader and a role-model” noting that Megan empowers others with and without Down syndrome to reach for their dreams.
Each year on the opening red-carpet, the celebrities and allies share the importance of funding and advocacy in the areas that most affect the health and human rights of people with Down syndrome, highlighting the alarming disparity of federal Down syndrome research funding. Celebrities including music icon and legend Quincy Jones, award-winning actors Jamie Foxx, Henry Winkler, Laura Linney, Eric Dane, and John C. McGinley, NFL Hall of Famer Terrell Davis, Colorado Rapids player Kellyn Acosta, R&B musicians Shamari and Ronnie DeVoe, Instagram influencer Mikaela Hoover, and Global Ambassador DeOndra Dixon all raised their voice to these issues.
Amanda Booth, also a Q-Award recipient, expressed another important side-effect of this evening’s celebration, “It’s a valuable opportunity for them (people with Down syndrome) to walk the runway and get the experience, to meet and mingle with people doing the things they dream to do. I think it’s important they grow up knowing that’s a possibility.”
Check out the star-power in this red-carpet line-up!
Once the festivities began, DeOndra Dixon, also a model, self-advocate, and previous Q-Award recipient, presented the award to Megan. In her speech, Megan told the crowd of 1400 plus, about several of her already accomplished goals, and also how proud she is to be enrolled in college. She is studying business and communications as part of her journey to be a successful “Megantrepreneur.”
She reminded the crowd, she is not alone in her ambition, speaking as an advocate for and with others with Down syndrome:
“We are teachers. We are leaders. We are dreamers.”
After the speeches and a live auction peppered with many great celebrity surprises and raising 2.5 million dollars to fund life-changing and life-saving research and medical care, the models took the stage for what is the highlight of Global’s groundbreaking event featuring celebrity escorts alongside models with Down syndrome on the high-profile runway.
Check out Megan Bomgaars and Eric Dane outshining the lights!
Jamie Foxx and the 2019 Global Down Syndrome Ambassador Charlotte Fonfara-Larose!
About the Event: Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show help underwrites life-changing and life-saving research and medical care at Global’s affiliates — the Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome and Rocky Mountain Alzheimer’s Disease Center, both at the Anschutz Medical Campus, and the Sie Center for Down Syndrome at Children’s Hospital Colorado.
About the Global Down Syndrome Foundation: The Global Down Syndrome Foundation is at the forefront of research, medical care, education and advocacy dedicated to significantly improving the lives of people with Down syndrome. Global supports the research of hundreds of scientists around the world through their advocates, partners and affiliates, including the Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome and the Anna and John J. Sie Center for Down Syndrome. Global invites its supporters to celebrate a decade of milestones in helping people with Down syndrome at their 10th Anniversary Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show. To learn more, visit www.globaldownsyndrome.org and www.bebeautifulbeyourself.org.
