On July 26, 2008, Michelle Colvard, a native of Houston, TX, was chosen from a group of diverse and talented women as Ms. Wheelchair America 2009.
Michelle was gracious enough to answer some questions for Suite and tell us about her reign so far and things yet to come. In the second part of our interview, Michelle discusses her activities as Ms. Wheelchair America 2009.
What have you done so far in your reign and what do you plan to do for the rest of your time?
So far, I’ve participated in the Rose Parade on the Kiwanis’ Association float in Pasadena, California, snow-skied in South Dakota with an organization called the Black Hills Regional Ski for Light, spoken at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. for the Real Economic Empowerment Tour (an initiative between the National Disability Institute and Internal Revenue Service to educate people with disabilities about taxes and financial empowerment), traveled to Sarasota, Florida to speak at a national conference of women legislators about health and wellness issues for people with disabilities, traveled to Washington, D.C. to help the AARP and National Organization on Disability kick off their new Accessible America Award contest (a contest to select the most disability-friendly cities across America), among other events. I’ve also participated in numerous local events in my home state of Texas, such as emceeing the Ms. Wheelchair Texas pageant in February.
Until my reign is up in August 2009, I plan to continue traveling and promoting the mission of Ms. Wheelchair America as well as promoting the message of health and wellness for people with disabilities. This month, I am going to be in San Diego, California for an event that is part of the Real Economic Impact Tour, to educate people with disabilities about free tax preparation at VITA sites and financial empowerment issues. Also, I will be in Virginia at the end of the month to emcee the Ms. Wheelchair Virginia pageant.
Have you visited anywhere interesting/met any noteworthy people during any of your engagements?
I have had experiences of a lifetime in the short time that I have been Ms. Wheelchair America 2009. The Kiwanis are absolutely wonderful people and I am so grateful and honored that they included me and Shannon Nee Hy-Coe, Ms. Wheelchair California on their float. I also had a great time with Shannon and her husband while my husband and I were in Pasadena, and look forward to seeing her again in San Diego. She was first-runner-up as Ms. Wheelchair America, and a really amazing woman. My husband Brian and I had such a great time in South Dakota, as well. I really feel like we made great friends with a number of people involved in the Black Hills Ski for Light organization. And, I’ve been able to team up with Juliette Rizzo, Ms. Wheelchair America 2005, and with Nancy Starnes, a former Ms. Wheelchair New Jersey, who is now Vice-President of the National Organization on Disability. Being alongside these powerhouse women inspires me to do more and be more!
I have heard the Ms. Wheelchair America receives airline tickets, etc., to help with travel expenses during her reign (I'm not certain though). Is this true and if so, what were the prizes you received? If no, do you think airline tickets or a travel budget, even a small one, or some kind of prize is a good idea for future winners?
Ms. Wheelchair America is different than the Ms. America pageant in that it does not provide a scholarship or cash prize. Ms. Wheelchair America does reimburse travel expenses up to a certain extent, and it’s up to the titleholder to raise additional money if needed to cover travel costs. Also, American Airlines is one of the sponsors of Ms. Wheelchair America, and they provide free airline vouchers to help offset travel expenses. I think that the contestants who enter Ms. Wheelchair America don’t do so because they are interested in a cash prize. In fact, we do incur our own expenses and donate a lot of time away from our jobs in order to carry out the duties of Ms. Wheelchair America. I hope that the organization will continue to grow and expand to help future titleholders carry out their duties as a disability advocate.
Will you travel to this year's pageant to help crown the new winner and show her the ropes, so to speak?
Part of my responsibility is to help future titleholders. I look forward to meeting all of the Ms. Wheelchair America 2010 contestants in South Dakota in August, and passing on some tips and helpful advice to each of them. I will also be available for Ms. Wheelchair America 2010 to give any help that I can, as well as for future Ms. Wheelchair America. Each Ms. Wheelchair Texas titleholder brings something different to the position. As Ms. Wheelchair America, you represent and help provide a voice for millions of Americans - with all types of disabilities, not just those who use wheelchairs.
Lastly, what advice would you give to women who are thinking of entering their state’s pageant but aren’t quite sure?
I would tell women who aren't sure if they should enter that it's an opportunity to challenge stereotypes of people with disabilities and encourage people -and for kids both with and without disabilities to be exposed to positive images of women who use wheelchairs.
For more information on Michelle or the Ms. Wheelchair America program, visit the website.
 |
