Halima Aden made history by wearing a burkini in the Miss Minnesota USA competition
Last weekend, 19-year-old Halima Aden made history as the first contestant to compete in a hijab in the Miss Minnesota USA beauty pageant.
She did this at a time when attacks against Muslims have been on the rise in the United States — especially following the 2016 presidential election.
Halima Aden starts off Miss Minnesota USA's swimsuit segment to big cheers from the crowd. Announcer: "She's making history tonight." <a href="https://t.co/OUvbHv6xct">pic.twitter.com/OUvbHv6xct</a>
—@ByLizSawyerOriginally from Somalia, Halima was born in Kenya and came to America when she was six years old.
Recent political and social tensions in the United States have left many young Muslim girls confused and discouraged about where they fit in in their communities, she says.
Far from being deterred, she felt inspired to embrace her culture on the world stage.
"If anything, it just made me want to push harder to represent Somali-Americans and Muslims in a positive light, so people have a different perspective," she told Day 6 host Brent Bambury.
Both fans and organizers threw their support behind Halima as she went through the pageant.
"We were honored to meet Halima and the other accomplished contestants who took part in a truly life changing event," Denise Wallace, executive co-director of the Miss Minnesota USA pageant, said in an email.
Halima did experience some pushback from people both within and outside of the Muslim community.
But for her, it was worth it.
"Growing up, I didn't have that many role models that looked like me or dressed like me," she said. "So it was important that I represent the community that I'm from."