A London Underground engineer is on track for success after swapping hobnail boots for high heels in her mission to be crowned Miss England.
Afrose Ameen, 23, spends her days surrounded by men on building sites and most recently helped construct the new Bond Street station on the Elizabeth Line.
She has now decided to ditch her TFL overalls to enter her first beauty pageant and hopes her new platform will inspire other women to get into male-dominated industries.
Afrose said she would often be the only woman on site while she was working on the Elizabeth Line – which opened last May during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year.
And she revealed her industry is so male-oriented that on one internship the company had to build her a women’s toilet and had no gloves to fit her hands.
The Master’s student has no previous modeling experience and was inspired to enter Miss England after learning it was about more than just a “pretty face.”
Afrose, from Lewisham, South London, also hopes to join either the Navy or the Royal Marines as an engineer when the competition finishes.
The Tube worker, who is studying renewable energy engineering, said: “I’ve actually never done a pageant or modeling before.
Afrose said she also got to meet The Queen after working on the new Tube line when the late monarch opened it last year.
She said: “I worked on the Elizabeth Line last year, I worked with the team who completed the Bond Street station. I got to meet the Queen.
“There were stalls at a Coventry event. I’m more interested in the Marines, you’re a soldier first. It’s more physical
“I’m still considering it based on what kind of offer they give me.
“Everyone loves it there that I’ve spoken to. I have friends in the Marines. I wouldn’t say it’s super diverse. I’m used to it with engineering.”
Afrose has reached the Miss England semi-final by competing in virtual heats and will compete at Viva Blackpool on October 16.
She added: “I’m confident in the pageant because there’s so many layers to it, I’m aiming to enter all the rounds.
“The benefits have been amazing. It’s been a huge experience and a step out of my comfort zone.
“We’re fundraising for two charities this year. A lot of girls do domestic abuse work.
“I was actually thinking to raise for climate action. There are a few charities that I have worked with previously as I’m a renewable engineer.”
Produced in association with SWNS Talker
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