Iowa women who use wheelchairs are being recruited to take part in the Ms. Wheelchair Iowa Contest this fall. The winner will spend the next year as the state’s chief advocate for people with disabilities. State director Angie Hulsebus says it’s not a beauty pageant, but a contest based on the person’s achievements since the onset of the disability. There are only a few key criteria to apply.

You’ll also need to be able to attract sponsors to raise money for expenses, including the trip to next year’s Ms. Wheelchair America event where you’ll represent Iowa at the national level. It’s an exceptional chance to advocate, educate and empower, Hulsebus says, through all kinds of opportunities.

Applying is as easy as sending the program an email and they’ll send you back an application.

Hulsebus was Ms. Wheelchair Iowa 2009 and says it was one of her crowning achievements.

This year’s Ms. Wheelchair Iowa Contest will be held October 28th at the Hearst Center For Performing Arts in Cedar Falls. Contact the program at: mswheelchairiowaprogram@gmail.com or through Facebook at Ms. Wheelchair Iowa Program.