"As a woman in
the United States Army,
I think we are just
as tough as men.
As a commander of my
unit,
I'm powerful,
I am
dedicated,"
(Deshauna Barber)
"Thank-you for
your service, 'Barber Family'!
Army officer crowned Miss USA 2016
AP/ June 5, 2016,
11:30 PM
LAS VEGAS
The newly crowned
Miss USA is a 26-year-old Army officer from the District of Columbia who gave
perhaps the strongest answer of the night when asked about women in combat.
"As a woman in
the United States Army, I think ... we are just as tough as men. As a commander
of my unit, I'm powerful, I am dedicated," Deshauna Barber said.
"Gender does not limit us in the United States."
As the winner of
Sunday's 2016 Miss USA competition held at the T-Mobile Arena off the Las Vegas
Strip, Barber will go on to compete in the Miss Universe contest.
Coming in second was
Miss Hawaii, who punted during the question-and-answer segment when asked who
she would vote for among the likely presidential candidates, Democrat Hillary
Clinton or former pageant owner Donald Trump, a Republican.