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.

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.

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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.

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

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

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