By: Armina Samuels

Raquel Riley Thomas is not just another pageant queen. As the current Elite Queen of the World 2025, she wears her crown with a sense of duty, using each opportunity not for personal spotlight but to support meaningful causes. A decorated U.S. Army Captain (Veteran), award-winning entrepreneur, and Taekwondo martial artist, Raquel represents the fusion of beauty, strength, and service. Her story demonstrates how pageantry, when paired with purpose, can serve as a catalyst for social change.

DefendRILEY: From Grief to a Global Mission

At the heart of Raquel’s reign is DefendRILEY – Fight Back. Stand Strong. Stay Safe. This global initiative arose from a deeply personal tragedy. In March 2013, Raquel lost her mother, M. Riley, to suicide. In the painful aftermath, she discovered that her mother had also been a survivor of assault. Having faced similar trauma herself, Raquel chose not to remain silent. Instead, she channeled her grief into a mission aimed at empowering others.

DefendRILEY provides self-defense training and personal safety education to women and girls worldwide. As a red belt in Taekwondo, Raquel mentors students through a national martial arts program, teaching them not only physical defense but also how to stand strong emotionally. Her goal is to earn her black belt and eventually become a Master Instructor, expanding the reach of her program through a nonprofit model that will soon offer scholarships and broader access to life-saving education.

“I started DefendRILEY because of my mother, M. Riley. I can’t change her past, but I can honor her by helping women and children protect their present and fight for a safer future,” says Raquel.

Balancing Beauty with Advocacy

Winning the title of Elite Queen of the World may seem glamorous, but Raquel’s mission extends far beyond crowns and gowns. She views the platform as a way to amplify her cause, using media, public appearances, and community outreach to bring attention to the urgent need for self-defense education.

Through DefendRILEY, Raquel advocates for policy change. One of her primary goals is to push for legislation that would include self-defense training in middle and high school curricula, and for colleges to offer it as an elective. “Too many young women enter adulthood without the tools to protect themselves,” she explains. “Self-defense should not be a privilege; it’s a fundamental right.”

She is urging supporters to help in three powerful ways:

• Sign the petition to lawmakers.

• Share personal stories to raise awareness.

• Join the DefendRILEY movement as a community advocate.

A Legacy of Leadership

Raquel’s path from military officer to media executive and now pageant queen is grounded in discipline, vision, and leadership. She founded An Officer and Gentlewoman, LLC, a media company that offers public relations, brand strategy, and production services, and has produced award-winning campaigns and events nationwide. Her work in both business and advocacy has earned her national recognition, yet she remains committed to service.

She has been honored with the President’s Volunteer Service Award for Lifetime Achievement and continues to actively support veteran programs, suicide prevention, and women’s empowerment.

Redefining the Role of a Queen

Raquel Riley Thomas is changing the narrative of what it means to be a pageant queen. With every sash she wears and every room she enters, she sends a powerful message: empowerment is beauty, strength is style, and purpose is power.

Whether mentoring young girls on a Taekwondo mat, speaking to legislators, or walking a red carpet, Raquel remains steadfast in her mission. She is helping build a global community where no woman feels powerless, and where safety and self-worth are fundamental parts of every girl’s foundation.

For Raquel, pageantry is not the destination; it’s the platform. And with DefendRILEY at the center, her reign is becoming a turning point in history.

For updates on Raquel’s journey through pageantry, advocacy, and personal empowerment, be sure to follow her on Instagram. For media inquiries, please reach out to An Officer and Gentlewoman, LLC via email at pr@aoagwllc.com.