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Meet Miss USA 2017: Her Answers On Healthcare And Feminism Blew Everyone Away

Katie Jerkovich Entertainment Reporter
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Before she was crowned Miss USA 2017, Miss District of Columbia Kara McCullough blew everyone away Sunday night with her answers on healthcare and feminism during the annual contest held in Las Vegas.

LAS VEGAS, NV - MAY 14: Miss District of Columbia USA 2016 Kara McCullough reacts after being crowned Miss USA 2017 during the 2017 Miss USA pageant at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on May 14, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

When asked about healthcare, McCullough said that healthcare is a privilege — not a right.

“I’m definitely going to say it’s a privilege,” the 25-year-old scientist with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission from D.C. explained during the question and answer part of the contest. “As a government employee, I’m granted health care and I see firsthand that for one to have health care, you need to have jobs. So, therefore we need to continue to cultivate this environment that we are given the opportunity to have health care as well as jobs so that all the American citizens worldwide.” (RELATED: This Contestant Had A Powerful Answer When Asked About Women Serving In The Military)

Later, McCullough as a top-three finalist was asked to explain what feminism was and if she would describe herself as a feminist. (RELATED: Miss District Of Columbia Wins Miss USA 2016)

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“So as a woman scientist in the government, I’d like to lately transpose the word feminism to equalism,” McCullough responded. “I try not to consider myself…oh I don’t really care about men. Women, we are just as equal as men, when it comes to opportunity in the workplace.”

McCullough beat first runner-up Miss New Jersey Chhavi Verg and second runner-up Miss Minnesota Meridith Gould to take home the crown.

The win marks back-to-back wins for D.C. In 2016, Deshauna Barber took home the title and was the first member of the military to be crowned Miss USA. McCullough will now go on to compete in the Miss Universe contest.