JEFFERSON CITY, MO. -- A Russellville woman has won a national beauty contest.Phaedra Marriott-Olsen is this year’s Miss Wheelchair USA.
Phaedra is also the victim services manager at Jefferson City’s Mothers Against Drunk Driving headquarters. Phaedra won her crown in late June during the national contest in Green, Ohio.
“The largest difference is that we did not do a swimsuit competition," Marriott-Olsen said. "We are judged on appearance. We are judged on our accomplishments and our goals, as well, as being someone with a disability. We’re judged for the work that we do by leading the goal of being leaders in the field for women with disability.”
Phaedra became disabled in 1996 after being hit by a drunk driver. Phaedra has many found memories of her victory at the Miss Wheelchair USA Pageant. She said being crowned was important, but meeting the other contestants was even more rewarding.
Phaedra and the other contestants shared stories, cheered for each other and supported each other. MADD Administrator Bud Balke has been a big supporter of Phaedra for more than 10 years as her closest co-worker.
“She’s an excellent colleague to work with," Balke said. "She always has a great disposition. That’s really one of the great things about coming to work.”
This year’s competion featured seven contestants from across the country. Even though it’s Miss Wheelchair USA, contestants can be single, divorced or married like Phaedra. Phaedra wants to use her crown to help others with disabilities by traveling across the country.
“Just because you have a disability, does not make you a different part of society," Marriott-Olsen said. "We can still be active, intelligent people in our society. That’s my biggest goal.”
Phaedra wants to remind us that more than 600,000 americans are injured in drunk-driving crashes every year.
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