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MONDAY, JULY 14, 2003

Cinda Hughes, a member of the Kiowa Tribe, was reluctant to compete in the Ms. Wheelchair Oklahoma contest. "I consider myself as being attractive, just not necessarily the beauty pageant type," she tells The Daily Oklahoman.

But Hughes realized it wasn't about looks, she jumped at the chance. "It's not a beauty pageant," she told the paper. "It's a position of public advocacy. They concentrate more on your accomplishments and on your ability to be a spokesperson and whether or not you have a positive image and a positive image of those with disabilities."

Hughes ended up winning the state contest and is now headed to the national Ms. Wheelchair America contest, which is being held July 22-27 in Des Moines, Iowa. She's confident about her abilities but even if she doesn't win, she'll be able to lobby for disability issues as the state title-holder.

Get the Story:
Capitol receptionist turns her disability to advocacy (The Daily Oklahoman 7/14)
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Relevant Links:
Ms. Wheelchair America - http://www.mswheelchairamerica.org

Related Stories:
Kiowa woman in running for Ms. Wheelchair America (7/9)