Toby Atkinson ’05 does it all. She’s a Fortune 500 executive, the chair of a regional Alzheimer’s association, and a wife and mother of two. Last October, she formally added “queen” to her list of responsibilities when she was crowned Mrs. United States.
Atkinson, who became one of just a few Black women to earn this title in the pageant’s 37-year history, is working tirelessly to make an impact during her year in the national spotlight.
Her weeks are filled with public appearances, keynote addresses, photo shoots, and meetings with politicians to lobby for her platform: promoting research and early screenings for Alzheimer’s disease, which disproportionately impacts Black Americans.
She manages to balance all these duties with family responsibilities and her role as national director of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and management programs at Cintas.
“I don’t say ‘no’ (to Mrs. United States appearance requests) very often,” Atkinson said. “The more that I say ‘yes,’ the more that I’m able to network and the more that I can give the crown and sash the integrity and the hard work that this title deserves.”
Born in Jackson, Mississippi, Atkinson (formerly Ford) moved with her family to Bolingbrook as a high schooler. She chose to attend Illinois State University because she liked the “lively” campus and the Redline Express Dance Team.
Although Atkinson didn’t initially make the team, she did as a sophomore after a lot of practice and eventually became team captain. Atkinson majored in business administration and was a member of the Business Information Systems Club and the Sigma Gamma Rho sorority.
“In pageantry, I give addresses about what my platform is and why I’m going to do great things for my community and the United States as a whole,” Atkinson said. “That comes with confidence that’s built from education. The professors at Illinois State prepared me to be poised and graceful in my career and pageantry, which is what the judges are looking for.”
At Illinois State, Atkinson met her now-husband, Shaun, who was visiting from Southeast Missouri State University. The pair became inseparable and were married in 2006. They still reminisce about their time on campus, crossing Main Street to smell freshly baked Avanti’s bread.
“It was like a gourmet meal,” Atkinson said with a smile. “That’s something I’ve really missed.”
Atkinson graduated in 2005, and after a year-and-a-half as a team leader at Target, she joined Cintas. The $8.2 billion company provides products and services to businesses across the globe, from uniforms to fire protection systems. Over the past 17 years, Atkinson has worked her way up from being a regional human resources manager to a national director for DEI and management programs based in Mooresville, North Carolina.
“We can’t be a company that’s advancing and hitting goals without the right people,” Atkinson said. “One of our best assets is people and our culture associated with it. So, marrying diversity, equity, and inclusion with the type of people that we’re bringing into our company is critical to our company’s success.”
In her current role, Atkinson focuses on recruiting, training, communicating, employee advancement, and managing identity-based groups known as Partner Business Resource Groups (PBRGs).
Atkinson said members of these groups help inform decisions that impact the company’s policies and goals.
“We understand the importance of growth, and you can’t have growth if you’re not tapping into the diversity of thought and the importance of inclusion,” Atkinson said. “It’s one thing to have a diverse environment, but you’re not being inclusive if you’re not seeking input.”
In the small amount of free time between her demanding job and raising she and her husband’s 5-year-old son, Isaac, and 12-year-old daughter, Grace, Atkinson felt compelled to compete in the Mrs. United States Pageant last year. She dabbled in pageantry as a teenager and again a few years ago. This time, she hired a coach and became laser focused on representing North Carolina at October’s Mrs. United States competition in Memphis.
“It’s been an amazing ride,” Atkinson said. “I’ve literally watched myself be transformed. I’m more disciplined, I’m a better communicator, I’m more prepared. I love the challenge.”
For her pageantry platform, Atkinson chose to advocate for Alzheimer’s disease research and awareness. Her grandmother and two of her aunts suffered from Alzheimer’s.
“I go to our legislators and talk to them about the importance of signing bills that support Alzheimer’s research and screenings,” Atkinson said. “Let’s increase screenings, let’s get the message out in areas predominantly populated by African Americans who are two times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s. The more we can get that message out to politicians the better.”
Atkinson, whose goal was to make the competition’s top five, was shocked when she was asked to join Dawn Hillary Oka (Mrs. Hawaii) in the top two. When Oka was named first runner-up, Atkinson couldn’t believe it. After a quick celebration, she stepped back to let Oka enjoy her moment. Then, Atkinson was crowned Mrs. United States.
“It was a great honor,” Atkinson said. “It meant so much, especially because my daughter was in the audience, and she saw who I was competing against. I’m not tall, I don’t have big blonde hair; but I presented myself with confidence. There’s beauty in diversity, and I’m so glad that the judges were open-minded and were looking for the full package.”
As queen, Atkinson is embracing the opportunity to showcase her identity as a Black woman at the top of her game in business, pageantry, and life in general.
“Representation definitely matters,” Atkinson said.
She also hopes to inspire her daughter, Grace, who’s interested in robotics, basketball, flag football, and plans to compete for the Miss Teen United States title this summer.
“I want my daughter to excel in preparation and being able to speak to strangers with confidence. I want her to walk into a room with queen-like energy,” Atkinson said.
“I think pageantry with the right people around you in the right system breeds confidence. It teaches women or girls how to achieve success and deal with disappointment with grace and dignity—and to keep following their dreams.”
