Entertainment Tonight ET Online ETOnline.com

The 10th annual Miss Plus America Pageant featured women from both coasts passionately competing for themselves and their respective causes.

WATCH: Lane Bryant's Plus-Size Lingerie Fashion Show

The competition, held in Memphis, Tennessee, requires that participants be at least a size 14, redefining what Western culture has traditionally considered beautiful.

"We are large and we are beautiful and we have something to say," said Miss Plus America Elite 2012 Makela Steward. "Look out world, because Miss Plus America 2012 Royal Court -- we're coming at you."

In addition to promoting healthy eating habits and lifestyles, the ladies also represented charities and causes close to their hearts.

VIDEO: Plus-Sized Bride-to-Be Gets Stuck in a Wedding Gown

"My platform is the National Kidney Foundation," said 2012 Ms. Plus America Kimberly Cecil-Jones. "I plan to promote it, because over 26 million people in America have some form of chronic kidney disease, and they don't even know it."

Watch the video to see the ladies strut their stuff during the four-day event that ended June 30.