The Duties of Ms. Wheelchair USA
Beryl Holzbach Discusses Her Responsibilities
On August 9, 2008, Beryl Holzbach, a 45-year-old native of Mechanicsville, VA, was selected from a group of diverse and talented women as the first national titleholder of the Ms. Wheelchair USA program.
Beryl 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, she discusses some of the things she has done as Ms. Wheelchair.
What have you done so far in your reign and what do you plan to do for the next 6 months?
I gave a speech to our local Toastmasters club and participated in a fashion show sponsored by Circuit City Stores, Inc. to benefit local United Way Charities. The Mechanicsville Local did a three part newspaper series on me and the Ms. Wheelchair USA pageant. In February I will be traveling to Atlanta, GA to give a speech at the Georgia Aquarium who is sponsoring a Disability Awareness program. Also in February and March I will be traveling to Ohio to participate in a program sponsored by Fine Productions, Inc. Entitled Understanding U it is an interactive, and educational way for students to gain understanding and promote acceptance of those who are different than themselves
Have you visited anywhere interesting/met any noteworthy people during any of your engagements?
So far I have been to Cuyahoga Falls and Akron, OH. I am going to Atlanta and back to Ohio this month. Everyone I meet, while not famous, has been noteworthy. Everyone has a story to tell and I love sharing my Ms. Wheelchair USA experiences with them as well.
I have heard the Ms. Wheelchair America receives airline tickets, etc., to help with travel expenses during her reign. Were you offered anything like this or any other prizes? If not, do you think airline tickets or a travel budget, even a small one, is a good idea for future winners?
All my travel expenses are paid by the Ms. Wheelchair USA foundation. However, we are working with a rather small budget as this is a new program and there are not a lot of funds available for extensive travel. Part of my agenda as Ms. Wheelchair USA is to raise awareness of the program that will in turn, we hope, solicit further funding for the program to grow.
Will you travel to this year's pageant to help crown the new winner and show her the ropes?
I am looking forward to the privilege of doing so.
Finally, what advice would you give to women who may be interested in competing?
My advice for women who wish to participate in the program would be to "Go For It"! Some may feel they do not have the self-confidence or qualifications to participate in a Pageant. However, what they need to realize is that everyone has something to contribute and a story to tell. Participating in the Pageant is a wonderful experience that makes all the contestants feel like winners!
To watch Beryl's platform speech, click here.
For more information on how you can become inMs. Wheelchair USA, click here.
Beryl Holzbach, Ms. Wheelchair USA
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