Article about pageants in Wall Street Journal

Wall Street Journal Article - Pretty on the Inside?

Love Your (Mom's) Heart this Mother's Day

My mom and me after prelims at Mrs. International last summer

Best wishes for a heart-healthy Mother’s day!

I worry about my mom and her health all the time. She has such a full schedule that her own needs, including an active lifestyle and a healthy diet, often take a backseat. This is all too common, and something she cannot afford to do if she wants to continue to be able to help her family! We have a history of heart disease in our family so our risk is particularly high. Your mom already has your heart, so I'm sure you can relate. This Mother’s Day why not give her a gift that will last a lifetime – her own heart health.

Heart disease is the #1 killer of women, claiming the lives of one of three women in America. The American Heart Association doesn’t want you or your mom to be a statistic, so we created Go Red For Women, a nationwide movement to wipe out heart disease. The good news is that cardiovascular disease is largely preventable, it’s all about making heart-healthy choices, like ordering baked instead of fried or taking the stairs versus the elevator. And choosing to act.

ACT TODAY! Register your mom – and yourself – today and receive a sample recipe for guilt-free Blackberry Cake with Maple Icing, perfect for a Mother’s Day treat. The first 100 registrants also will receive a copy of the Go Red For Women Love Your Heart cookbook filled with delicious, heart-healthy recipes. In addition, everyone who registers will receive a red dress pin to proudly show your support and a monthly e-newsletter filled with heart-healthy tips programs, news, recipes and more.

You love your mom, now love your heart! We can turn our personal choices into life-saving actions. Our examples and activism can help save the lives of others, including the women we love. Let’s choose to beat heart disease, the number one killer of women at GoRedForWomen.org.

Our Hearts, Our Choices. Beat heart disease at GoRedForWomen.org.

This post is an adaptation of an email sent to me by Go Red for Women.

The Oklahoma International Pageants

In all of the hubbub about my things getting stolen, I never posted about the wonderful contestants and their families! The ladies were unbelievable. Oklahoma International has an incredible sisterhood and the most amazing camaraderie. Every woman did her best, every woman benefited from the program, and every person grew through their involvement. For my opportunity to serve I am eternally grateful.

At the end of the night, Rachel Roberts, Mrs. Tulsa 2009, was selected as the new Mrs. Oklahoma International! Her response to her on-stage question gave me goosebumps. She is a natural, sincere, lovely woman with a message to share about postpartum depression. She is an excellent Mrs. Oklahoma already -- Rachel, welcome to our sisterhood! Rachel has such a big heart and I'm thrilled that she will represent Oklahoma! The first runner-up was the lovely Sherri Stewart. I honestly thought Sherri was going to win last year (the year I won!). Sherri has such personality! She is a fun, real, down-to-earth and beautiful woman spreading awareness of heart disease and stroke. The remaining contestants were just as beautiful and accomplished, and I feel honored to have had the chance to get to know them and learn about their diverse platforms. I know that the volunteerism will continue as each woman continues to promote her cause using her local title throughout the rest of the year.

The new Miss Oklahoma International is Caitlyn Taylor! What a beauty -- and another with a hilarious sense of humor! She had all of us cracking up backstage with her jokes about being a pretty, thin, blonde meteorology major. Her platform is Storm Ready. You have to listen to her talk about the weather -- She is a passionate young woman and she knows her stuff. Like all of the contestants, Cat shows that beauty and brains can come in the same package! Her first runner-up was Nicole Wray.

The new Miss Teen Oklahoma International is Lyndzee Vieweg. Lyndzee is stunning, with a passion for educating others and increasing funding for Lupus. She is another with a phenomenal sense of humor and a hugely generous spirit! She helped me with my stage make-up for the state Teen pageant last year.

The new Miss Junior Teen Oklahoma International is Summer Stolz. Summer is a beauty with excellent public speaking skills and a kindness and maturity that goes beyond her 10-12 years. This lovely young lady was very kind to me after the pageant. Hearing the kind words of this precious little girl meant so much to me.

Each of the contestants could have represented our state beautifully, but only four could take home their respective titles and all of the responsibilities and honors that come with them. Congratulations to every contestant for a job well done! I wish you the best of luck in all of your endeavors! Please keep in touch! Let your light shine!

Join me at the Go Red for Women Luncheon Tomorrow

9:00am - 1:00pm
Renaissance Tulsa
Hotel and Convention Center
6808 South 107th East Avenue
Tulsa, OK 74133

The Go Red for Women campaign and Macy’s and Merck are working together to educate women about the #1 threat to women’s health – heart disease.

The Go Red for Women Luncheon is a fun and educational event designed to encourage women to become champions of health. The theme incorporates the 360 degrees of a woman’s influence: the community, home and work.

We anticipate over 750 women will attend the 2009 Go Red for Women Luncheon — a “red carpet” event comprised of corporate and social women with an education component focused on women’s health and a call to action.

Vendor exhibit booths will feature a variety of gifts for Mother’s Day, and our health expo will offer free health screenings (Heart Check-up, blood pressure, body mass index and glucose).

Mrs. Oklahoma International 2009 Rachel Roberts and I will be in attendance at the event, volunteering and helping our friends at the American Heart Association. The cost is $150 per person. Proceeds will be earmarked to fight heart disease and stroke in women. I hope to see you there!