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In 1972, the Ms. Wheelchair America program was launched to promote the achievements, as well as the needs, of people who are wheelchair mobile, according to mswheelchairkansas.org.
In 2004, state coordinator Carrie Greenwood read about the program online and decided to start a Kansas program.
"I was intrigued by the program because it was not an outer beauty contest, but focused on celebrating women who are wheelchair mobile," Greenwood said. "It was much more focused on the accomplishments of the women, as well as their attitude and speaking skills, rather than a traditional beauty contest. This made me want to be a part of it even more."
In order for Greenwood to get involved in the national competition, she first had to compete on a state level. And since no such program existed in Kansas at the time, she had to start it.
Greenwood became an independent delegate for Kansas and was automatically named Ms. Wheelchair Kansas 2004. After her year as a titleholder ended, she became the state coordinator for the event — a position she has held ever since.
The eighth annual Ms. Wheelchair Kansas event will take place March 9-11 at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Topeka.
The three-day competition will include a variety of events. Each contestant will have two personal interview sessions with a panel of judges, where they are asked a variety of questions and are scored based on their accomplishments, self-perception, communication and projection skills. The contestants also get to participate in informational sessions that focus on a variety of topics, such as self-defense, advocacy, working with the media and fitness.
"This is not just a competition but is also a weekend of celebrating woman-hood and disability pride," said Greenwood.
Once the new winner is announced, she will spend the next year advocating for people with disabilities throughout the state and educating others on issues that are important to them. The main issue that will be discussed is trying to break down stereotypes of people with disabilities.
"Our titleholders show that people with disabilities are just like everyone else. They are employed, educated, involved in the community, and they can be wives, mothers and friends," said Greenwood. "They also show that having a disability is not a negative thing. It can be very positive and doesn't have to stop anyone from achieving their dreams."
To learn more about the Ms. Wheelchair Kansas Program, become a contestant or nominate a woman of achievement, please contact Greenwood at (785) 267-5982 or via email at
mswheelchairkansas@yahoo.com. More information, a printable application and a nomination form can also be found on the MWKS Web site at www.mswheelchairkansas.org.
In 1972, the Ms. Wheelchair America program was launched to promote the achievements, as well as the needs, of people who are wheelchair mobile, according to mswheelchairkansas.org.
In 2004, state coordinator Carrie Greenwood read about the program online and decided to start a Kansas program.
"I was intrigued by the program because it was not an outer beauty contest, but focused on celebrating women who are wheelchair mobile," Greenwood said. "It was much more focused on the accomplishments of the women, as well as their attitude and speaking skills, rather than a traditional beauty contest. This made me want to be a part of it even more."
In order for Greenwood to get involved in the national competition, she first had to compete on a state level. And since no such program existed in Kansas at the time, she had to start it.
Greenwood became an independent delegate for Kansas and was automatically named Ms. Wheelchair Kansas 2004. After her year as a titleholder ended, she became the state coordinator for the event — a position she has held ever since.
The eighth annual Ms. Wheelchair Kansas event will take place March 9-11 at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Topeka.
The three-day competition will include a variety of events. Each contestant will have two personal interview sessions with a panel of judges, where they are asked a variety of questions and are scored based on their accomplishments, self-perception, communication and projection skills. The contestants also get to participate in informational sessions that focus on a variety of topics, such as self-defense, advocacy, working with the media and fitness.
"This is not just a competition but is also a weekend of celebrating woman-hood and disability pride," said Greenwood.
Once the new winner is announced, she will spend the next year advocating for people with disabilities throughout the state and educating others on issues that are important to them. The main issue that will be discussed is trying to break down stereotypes of people with disabilities.
"Our titleholders show that people with disabilities are just like everyone else. They are employed, educated, involved in the community, and they can be wives, mothers and friends," said Greenwood. "They also show that having a disability is not a negative thing. It can be very positive and doesn't have to stop anyone from achieving their dreams."
To learn more about the Ms. Wheelchair Kansas Program, become a contestant or nominate a woman of achievement, please contact Greenwood at (785) 267-5982 or via email at
mswheelchairkansas@yahoo.com. More information, a printable application and a nomination form can also be found on the MWKS Web site at www.mswheelchairkansas.org.
