An advocacy group for people in wheelchairs is looking for an Iowa woman to be its new spokeswoman for the next year. The deadline is February 10th to apply for the title of Ms. Wheelchair Iowa. Judy Hoit, who was the state’s first Ms. Wheelchair in 1996, is state coordinator of the program.
Hoit says they’re looking for Iowa women between the ages of 21 and 60 who use wheelchairs for 100-percent of their daily mobility. She says "We looking for people who like to talk that will make appearances across the state, talking to groups, to schools and appearing in parades and all kinds of events where we want people to know we’re out there doing our job." Hoit says contestants can relax as it’s not a beauty pageant.
Hoit says they’re judged on their achievements and accomplishments since the onset of their disability. "We just want people to know that women in wheelchairs are just like everybody else. We just get around a little differently." Hoit, a polio survivor, says the state competition will be held in Iowa City.
Hoit says at the luncheon on March 17th, they’ll be judged by a three-judge panel in an interview format, the contestants will give a short speech and answer a question drawn from a hat. The winner will go on to represent Iowa at the national level at the Ms. Wheelchair America contest to be held in Washington D.C. in July. For more information, contact Hoit at (319) 351-8375, visit " www.judyhoit.com " or send e-mail to "[email protected]".