Interview with Miss Cherry Blossom 2024 Abigail Shedd

This month I had the opportunity to talk with the incredible Abigail Shedd, Miss Cherry Blossom 2024, about emotional abuse, mental health and their community service initiative, ‘A’ is for Art: Advocacy for Arts Education in Schools.

Tell us a little about yourself and why emotional abuse awareness is important to you?

I have unfortunately been the victim of and witness to emotional abuse in various relationships. From partners to parents, teachers and supervisors, emotional abuse can sometimes be very hard to recognize and is why it's important to be discussed openly.

Your community service initiative is ‘A’ is for Art: Advocacy for Arts Education in Schools. How can art programs in schools support students who may be experiencing emotional abuse?

Programs in schools can bring mentors to student’s lives and introduce them to classmates with similar interests and experiences. Continuing to build upon and form strong relationships can help those experiencing emotional abuse not only identify and discuss what's going on in their lives, but form stronger bonds among people who care about them.

Emotional abuse can be hard to spot. What are some red flags you look for in your own relationships and in your friends who may be experiencing abuse? 

I think emotional abuse can come in many forms, both in a negative reinforcement or punishment. I feel being vulnerable and open with your friends, family, and colleagues to an extent is very healthy, but the issue arises when someone becomes invasive of your boundaries or dependent on you emotionally. I also consider someone who doesn’t seem engaged in building a connection appropriate to our relationship as emotionally abuse.

What’s your best advice for self care? 

Find what makes you happy and devote time to it, and I advise you to find outlets that don't rely on others. I'm a musician and theatre performer, so a lot of my “self-care” includes others, but I also enjoy solo activities like writing, painting, and reading!

How do you take care of your mental health both as an individual and a titleholder? 

I am in therapy for my own mental health and needs, and I have found that as a contestant and titleholder, if I'm more open to those around me about my needs and struggles that it is easier to take care of those needs. I have an army of people that love me and support me, and have at my highest and lowest, both as a titleholder and as a person.

Emotional abuse has only recently become more widely known as a serious form of abuse. What’s something you wish more people understood about emotional abuse?  

Emotional abuse can be present in any relationship, at any time, in many different ways.

How would you support a friend if you believed they were experiencing emotional abuse?

I meet my friends exactly where they are at and continuously tell them I am there to support them in any regard. I want to make sure they know I'm a safe space to share their challenges and feel they will be heard.

What are your favorite organizations that support those facing abuse in Western Washington State?

The Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence partners with sub organizations across the state to support individuals of any age, gender, race, and socioeconomic status identify their needs and remove survivors from DV situations. I think it's important for people to know that DV is not just partner on partner violence, like many believe. If you are being abused by someone you cohabitate with or who takes care of you, that is considered domestic violence, and can also include ex partners.

Where can we learn more about your platform and watch your journey to Miss Washington?

I'm very active on Instagram! @misscherryblossomwa, and I am available for various volunteer projects throughout Western Washington! If you would like to partner, feel free to shoot me a DM!