Mrs. Rochester Uses Pageant Platform to Champion Maternal Health

Greece resident and mother of three Danielle Hubbel proudly represented Rochester at the Mrs. New York America competition held at the RIT Inn & Conference Center on May 31, 2026. The event brought together accomplished women from across the State for a weekend of competition, personal growth, and community impact.

As Mrs. Rochester, Hubbel used the opportunity to spotlight an issue close to her heart: maternal health. A DONA-trained doula and FertilityCare Instructor, she is passionate about supporting women and families from pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Through her platform, she sought to raise awareness about the importance of education, advocacy, and compassionate care for mothers and babies.

“Supporting mothers throughout pregnancy, birth, and early motherhood is so important to me,” said Hubbel. “My platform emphasizes that every woman deserves to feel physically, emotionally, and spiritually supported as she brings new life into the world.”

The pageant also provided an opportunity to highlight organizations making a difference in the Rochester community. Hubbel was honored to share the work of The Margaret Home, Restore Health & Wellness, and FCLNY, all of which are dedicated to supporting women and families through critical stages of life. Their commitment to care and community reflects the values at the heart of her advocacy efforts.

Throughout her pageant journey, Hubbel was grateful for the encouragement and mentorship of Mary Therese and Kent Friel of the Mary Therese Friel Modeling Agency. She says their guidance, support, and belief in her helped make the experience both meaningful and memorable.

She also expressed deep appreciation for Diane Hardgrove, a former Mrs. World and the esteemed director of the Mrs. New York America organization. Hardgrove’s leadership, professionalism, and dedication to empowering women created an uplifting and inspiring experience for all of the contestants. Hubbel says that Hardgrove’s passion for helping women discover their confidence and purpose continues to leave a lasting impact on those who participate in the program.

While the competition celebrated poise, talent, and achievement, Hubbel believes the true value of the experience lay in the opportunity to amplify important conversations about maternal health and to connect with women who are making a difference in their communities.

Reflecting on the weekend, Hubbel is filled with gratitude for the support she received from family, friends, mentors, sponsors, and the Rochester community. She leaves the experience inspired, encouraged, and more committed than ever to advocating for mothers, babies, and families throughout New York State.