In the middle of winter, we find many states preparing for their pageants. Here are some updates from Ms. Wheelchair America to help you stay up to date.

Coordinator Updates

The Ms. Wheelchair FL pageant will be held February 10. We wish Eileen O’Brien and her crew success.

The Ms. Wheelchair CA pageant which was originally scheduled for February 24 has been rescheduled for March 3. Ruthee Goldkorn, MWCA coordinator, offers the following advice to fellow state coordinators; “Never try to compete with NASCAR when scheduling your state pageant!”

For those states who have already held state pageants, please send complete contact information for your new state titleholder to Denise DiNoto. Please include home address, e-mail address and phone information.

The summary from the MWA Board of Directors meeting is almost complete. Denise DiNoto will mail them out to coordinators within the month.

News from Autumn Grant, MWA 2007

January was a very busy month as Ms Wheelchair America 2007. I rang in the New Year in Burbank, California. Actually I slept through the New Year because I had to be at the Rose Bowl parade at 4:00 AM. The parade was beautiful and certainly an experience I will never forget. I finished off my trip to California with a VIP tour of Universal studios, which was incredible. During the trip, I had a second celebrity sighting. I saw Mario Lopez walking down the street in Burbank- very cool. At the end of January I headed back out west to the Black Hills of South Dakota for Ski for Light. Despite crashing on one of my ski runs, I really had a fantastic time at Ski for Light and will certainly try to make it to this event when my reign is over.

Swap and Share

Thank you to everyone who helped spread the word about MWA’s search for a new Executive Director. We will keep you informed as the process moves along.

This month’s question comes from Leciah Lawton, Ms. Wheelchair Arizona state coordinator. Leciah would like to know:

How have states involved their former state titleholders after their reign?

If you have any comments or suggestions for Leciah, please send them to Denise. All responses will be shared next month in the newsletter.

Ms. Wheelchair America 2008 in Maryland

Even though it is the middle of winter, Robert Watson and his Maryland crew are thinking summer! Robert would like to invite all coordinators to join the Ms. Wheelchair America family for the crowning gala at the 35th Ms. Wheelchair America Pageant. This is the year to join the celebration as we reach another milestone. Pack your bags and start making plans now!

Finally….a note from the ED

Last month I started this section by describing the unseasonable warmth in the northeast. Well, rest assured that the cold has returned - this morning it was 2 degrees when I started my car. Those of you who have seen me in winter know that above all the things I dislike about winter; limited sunshine, snowstorms, Valentine’s Day, running out of windshield washer fluid on the highway; I truly hate being cold. I hate having to bundle up in so many layers. I really hate it when my feet go numb. And let’s not even talk about wind chill.

So, I hate winter in the northeast. Why do I stay? I mean, we need a coordinator in Hawaii so I could still be involved in MWA if I move! Well, I stay here because I absolutely LOVE spring, summer and fall in upstate NY. I figure I can put up with January and February because I know how wonderful May, June, July, August, September, and even October will be.

People ask me all the time why I continue to volunteer for Ms. Wheelchair America and Ms. Wheelchair NY; especially when I appear stressed in the month leading up to my next pageant as is the case right now. Why do I continue to give so much of my time and effort? Well, it’s because I absolutely LOVE meeting and working with the amazing women who participate as contestants in the program. I get inspired hearing their stories, and seeing their growth throughout their year of service. I would guess that most of you share this love and commitment. It’s the reason we continue to grow as an organization from year to year.

Yes, it’s still cold outside. Yes, I’ll still have to bundle up for many weeks to come. But, I know that next month I will be warmed when the Ms. Wheelchair NY contestants gather for the next state pageant. It’s almost enough to make me want to share Valentine’s Day cards with my friends. Almost.