Erika Harold
| Erika Harold | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
February 20, 1980 Urbana, Illinois |
| Alma mater |
University of Illinois, B.A. (2001) Harvard University, J.D. (2007) |
| Occupation | Attorney, Politician |
| Title |
Miss Illinois 2002 Miss America 2003 |
| Predecessor | Katie Harman |
| Successor | Ericka Dunlap |
Erika Natalie Louise Harold (born February 20, 1980), Miss America 2003, is an American attorney. She is also a two-time Republican candidate for the 13th Congressional District seat in the State of Illinois.
Harold was born in Urbana, Illinois. Her ethnic background is extremely varied. On her father's side, she has Greek, German and English ancestry, and on her mother's side, Native-American, and African-American ancestry.
She graduated from the University of Illinois, Phi Beta Kappa with a B.A. in political science and was a Chancellor's Scholar. In 2007, she graduated from Harvard University's Law School, where she won best brief in the Harvard Ames Moot Court semi-final and final rounds of competition. She has worked in Chicago, Illinois, as an associate attorney at Sidley Austin LLP and at Burke, Warren, MacKay & Serritella. She currently works for Meyer Capel law firm in Champaign, Illinois.
She became Miss America 2003 on September 21, 2002 (as Miss Illinois 2002). Her official platform was "Preventing Youth Violence and Bullying: Protect Yourself, Respect Yourself." Her platform choice grew out of personal experience; she recounts having been the subject of racial and sexual harassment while growing up. In a May 2, 2003 speech, Harold said when she turned to teachers and school administrators, her concerns were dismissed. As part of her platform, she became a national spokesperson for Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, a national advocacy group.
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Wikipedia