WASHINGTON - eTradeWire -- Raquel's journey is a testament to resilience and reinvention. From serving nine years in the military to walking international runways, she has combined discipline, elegance, and advocacy into a purpose-driven life. She is the Founder and CEO of An Officer and Gentlewoman, LLC, a global media and entertainment company that has produced over 5,000 campaigns, represented Emmy-winning talent, and earned more than 75 industry awards.

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Raquel is also an alumna of Hampton University, a graduate of the Harvard Business School's Mastery of Negotiation program, and a recipient of one of the nation's highest honors—induction into the Library of Congress for her distinguished service and contributions to media, leadership, and advocacy.

But her mission is deeply personal. In 2013, Raquel lost her mother, M. Riley, to suicide. She later learned her mother was a survivor of sexual assault—an unspoken trauma that had lasting impact. In her honor, Raquel created DefendRILEY, a movement to provide hands-on self-defense training to women and girls across the globe.

"This crown is for my mother," says Raquel. "I couldn't change her past, but I can ignite a fire in other women and children to defend their present and their future."

A red belt in Taekwondo, Raquel trains under 6th-degree black belt Master Tommy Cho, and together they've appeared on multiple television morning shows to demonstrate simple, real-life techniques every woman should know. She is also actively advocating to make self-defense a high school elective and has launched a Change.org petition to rally national support.

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Follow Raquel Riley Thomas on Instagram- www.instagram.com/raquelrileythomas

Publicist: L.Nelson | pr@aoagwllc.com.

Modeling Agent: Select Models | lois@selectmodels.com.