Patricia Southall- Smith is DWTS Emmitt Smith's Wife

Patricia Annette Southall, better known as ; ring any bells? Yes, you might recognize her as Emmit Smith’s former NFL player and a Dancing With the Stars contestant wife but that’s not all; she has worked hard to be recognized for her own accomplishments and there’s quite a few we can talk about.

PHOTO: Patricia Southall-Smith

She was born on January 1, 1971 in Chesapeake, Virginia to 84-year-old Henry and 74-year-old Mildred Southall; graduated from James Madison University (journalism) she is a former beauty queen from Portsmouth, Virginia. She won the Miss Virgina USA crown in late 1993 then later next year in 1994 she placed first runner up representing her state in the Miss USA pageant. She is a journalism graduate from the James Madison University.

While working in the Government she met actor-comedian Martin Lawrence in 1992 they got married in 1995 and had a daughter, Jasmine Paige Lawrence born on January 15th, 1996; but unfortunately it didn’t last, they divorced on September, 1996. But let’s leave the past where it’s supposed to be shall we?

Southall found love again when she married football star Emmit Smith on April 22, 2000. They have two children together, Emmit IV (b. May 15, 2002) and Skylar (b. October 15th, 2003).

One would think, this lady is for sure an amazing, gorgeous, intelligent, confident African American woman; think again! Emmitt Smith’s beautiful wife appears to be wildly successful but in reality she spent a lot of time trying to find her place in the world feeling like she was only noticeable for whom she was with and not for her own individual.

Her philanthropic work alongside Emmitt’s made her the recipient of the 2012 Trumpet Awards which acknowledges the accomplishments of men and women who have significantly contributed to enhancing the quality of life for all individuals and or groups who augment the richness of this great global society by partnering with the cause of justice and equality for all. Pat Smith is also CEO at her charity Treasure You as well as president at Pat and Emmitt Smith Charities.

This mom of four is not your ordinary average woman, in her own quest for something bigger she learned “God has a purpose and a plan for each of us and there is where you find true fulfillment” She is finally finding her voice as she says and she is doing what she does best; helping other find theirs as she joined the list of speakers of “women of faith” for their events across North America “Celebrate what matters to you”. What a great mix of brains, beauty and beliefs right! She truly is a great example for all of us women out there.

She was chosen 10 Most Beautiful Women in Dallas by the 2011 issue of D Magazine, this year she and her hubby were named Dallas Hotel Magazine’s Texas Power Couple.