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Mother of three surprised to be crowned Mrs. Pakistan WorldBy Dominik KurekIm an image consultant by profession.OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFFSo I teach this stuff and I thought, Well whyPAGEANT WIN: Oakville's Nyla not. It was the furthest thing away fromHasan was recently crowned as Mrs. An Oakville married mother of three finds what I would have actually imagined doing,Pakistan World 2011 at a Toronto it fascinating that the unexpected has hap-she said of entering the pageant. pageant. The married mother of three pened. She also had fun doing it.is an image consultant, business Nyla Hasan, an image consultant, was Hasan said she will use the crown to be aowner and instructorcrowned Mrs. Pakistan World 2011 at a role model to women in her Greater TorontoToronto pageant last month, put on by the Area Pakistani community.Toronto-based company Touchgate Global Im very excited, especially for theInc.Pakistani community, she said. Theres aShe entered the contest on a lark.cultural restraint that a lot of women have. II didnt think I would win it. I just did it think this will give me an opportunity to letfor the heck of it. It turns out that here I most women, especially within the commu-am, the 44-year-old said.nity here in Toronto, know that they can beI think that by this age my friends and I, confident and be themselves and not letmost women, kind of give up on the 18s to other peoples opinion, usually within our30s of our life. I find that very fascinating. I community, who put all these restrictions onactually have always believed that, especially women where they can never live their pur-women, continue changing and growing and pose.get better each day in every way especially With her image consulting work, Hasanwhen they have families with kids and a hus-already helps empower women, and this vic-band and responsibilities to take care of.tory will help her continue to do even moreHasan immigrated to Canada with her of that.family 10 years ago, and has lived in Oakville But its not just the women of her decent,the entire time. Shes the president of Global but many Canadian women sacrifice a lot forImage Strategies, an image consulting firm. their families.The organization holds workshops and train-I dont think we have to do that asing sessions to help its clients achieve a women, she said. I think we can create apowerful presence, internal strength and beautiful balance between our passion andconfidence. Hasan is also an instructor at goals and our kids and spouse and our fam-Torontos Fashion College and has been ily members. I think this will give me theSUBMITTED PHOTOinvolved in the community.See Mrs. Pakistan page 33www.insideHALTON.com OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, March 18, 2011 26