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Area women competed for the Ms. Senior Oklahoma title — and inspired a pageant judge in the process.
They were beautiful. They were graceful. They were well-spoken. They were an average of 86 years old.
The fourth annual Ms. Senior Oklahoma Pageant was not your typical beauty pageant. No talent competition. No bathing suit competition. Just 32 women competing for the crown in one of four categories: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Nursing Home and Adult Day Services. The criteria seemed simple. Dress in your best; answer one of three questions: What is your favorite flower and why? Who is your inspiration? And if you could travel anywhere in the world, free, where would you go?
But this pageant was so much more than simple. It was an opportunity to recognize women who don’t often have opportunities to flaunt their beauty and talent on stage. Women who have lived full and fulfilling lives and want to share their thoughts and memories with others.
My experience
I served as a judge. It was an experience I will not soon forget.
The pageant, hosted by Grace Hospice Foundation, celebrates the life and accomplishments of Tulsa area women ages 55 and over. Candidates are part of a continuum of care or participate in an adult day care program in Tulsa, and they must be selected at their respective facilities before competing for Ms. Senior Oklahoma.
While the event helps educate people about hospice, the primary focus is the women who participate, says Carolyn McGhay, Grace Hospice’s director of special projects.
“We wanted to do something to honor the beauty they have on both the inside and the outside,” she says.
I smiled as I saw the contestants pull up to the VanTrease PAC in everything from cars to buses to limos, often accompanied by entourages of family, friends and nursing facility staff. The other judges — Forrest Cameron, publisher, Greater Tulsa Reporter newspapers; Julie Chin, meteorologist, KJRH; Kim Jackson, reporter, KTUL; Rusty McMurray, host, Senior Class Radio; and Ron Terrell, morning anchor, KOKI Fox 23 — and I were tasked with assigning the contestants scores, based on categories such as poise and self-confidence, evening wear clothing, overall impression of appearance, stage presence, answer content and overall impression of the contestant’s speech.
From the first contestant on, it was clear we had our work cut out for us. Every woman — accompanied by either a celebrity escort or a friend or family member — brought something different to the table. All looked lovely in their attire, which ranged from sparkly gowns to floor-length floral dresses to tailored jackets and matching skirts.
The responses to the questions were also diverse. Some women gave short, to-the-point answers, such as one contestant who, when asked about her inspiration, pointed to her daughter “because she sticks with me.” One woman sang her response. Some women told longer stories from their childhood or younger days — cut off by an off-stage cowbell that signaled they had run out of time. Some contestants asked emcee LeAnne Taylor to read their responses.
Some answers brought tears; others brought laughter. Each was inspiring.
Meet the winners
Independent Living: Marion Bolks, Tulsa Jewish Retirement Center.
Bolks, 82, is still happily married to her husband of 61 years, Dick Bolks. Originally from Paducah, Ky. Bolks says her proudest moment is when she walked down the aisle with her husband, followed by the birth of their three children. Her interests include drawing and painting, reading, bridge and playing tennis. She also enjoys watching sports, and attending the opera and symphony.
Assisted Living: Oleta Brown, The Arbors.
Brown was crowned the winner just two days before her 77th birthday. Originally from McAlester, Brown says her proudest moment was the birth of her children. She enjoys playing cards and walking.
Long Term Care: Lillie King, Park’s Edge Nursing & Rehab Center.
King will celebrate her 89th birthday in November. Originally from Holdenville, one of her fondest memories is her first job in Tulsa, where she worked as a shampoo girl at a beauty shop in Greenwood. She enjoys watching her favorite soap opera and working puzzles.
Adult Day Services: Dana Ann Sutton, LIFE Senior Services-Central.
Sutton will soon celebrate her 76th birthday. A native Tulsan, Sutton says her proudest moment was being able to see her grandchildren and great grandchildren’s births. She enjoys arts and crafts, interior decorating, cooking and singing.
I couldn’t stop smiling as I watched each of them receive a crown, sash and bouquet of roses as she was named Ms. Senior Oklahoma.
Many said the pageant would be one of the most memorable events of their lives.
Additional reporting by Andrea Leitch.
