'The right time for me': Franklin's Sweden Perkins crowned Mrs. Tennessee America

Sweden Perkins never planned to be a pageant queen.

Now, as Mrs. Tennessee America, she's one step away from representing tens of millions of married women across the nation.

Not long ago, Perkins was happy living her life in Franklin as a wife, a stay-at-home mother of two, homeschool teacher, social media influencer and blogger. Then in June, the local resident embarked on what she called a leap of faith.

The results? She's now looking forward to wearing her crown and sash during travels across the state and country.

Serving as Mrs. Tennessee is a lot of work.

"It's also really fun," Perkins made sure to say. "I mean, buying all the dresses and getting to feel like a princess when you're in your 30s is really fun."

Unlike the nationally televised Miss USA, Miss America and Miss Universe pageants where contestants are not allowed to be married or to be older than 26 or 28 years old, the Mrs. America pageant is a competition for married women.

Perkins, 32, found this competition to be the perfect undertaking in her current phase of life. Although there isn't much of an age gap from pageant contestants in their twenties, there are some "life gaps," she said, and now she's more sure about embarking on this challenge.

"I know who I am and this is the right time for me."

Pageant director: 'We're always usually worried about other people'

The idea to compete was floated to Perkins by Mrs. Tennessee pageant director Julie Perez in 2020. Perez spotted Perkins on social media and asked if she'd consider a pageant run.

As director, Perez said she scouts women who she believes fit the Mrs. America brand and is empowered by the chance support them in finally doing something for themselves.

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"You really don't get a chance as a mother or as a woman in general to really focus on yourself and make yourself the best version of yourself," she said. "We're always usually worried about other people.

"So, for just a hot minute, we're able to focus on ourselves and how we impact our community...I feel like we should all kind of go through through some kind of version of that."

Perkins considered it, but with the onset of COVID-19, she kept the opportunity on hold until she and her family were ready.

And that, for her, was this year's competition.

How did Perkins become Mrs. Tennessee?

While the competition appreciates Perkins' charm and natural ability to represent the brand, in Perez's personal opinion, she showed a certain balance.

"She was well-spoken and she loves being in the public eye but yet she is also very reserved, so I think that kind of makes it a nice combo for a queen," Perez said.

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In August, Perkins will travel to the Mrs. America competition in Las Vegas for a chance to win the national crown and qualify to compete for the title of Mrs. World. She will also continue to serve via statewide community service work, as well nationally through social media platforms and an upcoming podcast. (Learn all about Perkins at simplyswedenblog.com, on Facebook, or on Instagram @simple_sweden.)

"This (Mrs. America) experience is pushing me outside of all comfort zones and I want to encourage other women to do that too," she said.

"I want to encourage women to believe in themselves and to know that there are big things out there and they're just waiting for you."

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Becoming Mrs. Tennessee isn't just a big change for Perkins.

It's a big change for her family too.

For the first time in her children's lives, she's representing something more than her family and her social media business.

Nonetheless, Perkins believes the experience can only be a positive one for them all.

"Family for me is everything, so we're all having to learn a little bit about each other and my kids are having to adjust and see that I have other priorities too," she said.

"They're getting to witness me pushing myself really hard outside of all my comfort zones and grow."

Anika Exum is a reporter covering Williamson County at The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network — Tennessee. Reach her at aexum@tennessean.com, 615-347-7313 or on Twitter @aniexum. To stay updated on Williamson County news, sign up for our newsletter. 

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Meet Mrs. Tennessee America Sweden Perkins, a Franklin blogger, mom