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Richmond, VA--August 1, 2004-- Following a week-long competition
with women from aro und the country, Juliette Rizzo of Rockville,
Maryland, was crowned last night as Ms. Wheelchair America 2005, in
Richmond, Virginia, at the 32nd annual Ms. Wheelchair
America Program. Rizzo will embark on a year-long reign, traveling
the country to speak and advocate on behalf of the more than
50-million Americans with disabilities.
The mission of
the Ms. Wheelchair America program is to improve public awareness of
the achievements and abilities of women with disabilities and reduce
the architectural and attitudinal barriers that impede the quality
of life for all people with disabilities.
As Ms. Wheelchair
America, Rizzo will
travel the country, for public speaking opportunities and meetings
with civic, government, church, and school groups and leaders to
advance her platform and the Ms. Wheelchair America mission. In
addition, she will work to help start Ms. Wheelchair programs in the
states that do not currently have state-level competitions.
Rizzo is a single, 36-year-old who, at the age of 3, contracted a
systemic infection which resulted in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis,
scleroderma, and fibromyalgia. She has a B.A. from Texas A&M
University and a Masters of Journalism with a minor in
Rehabilitation Studies from the University of North Texas.
Currently she is the Director of Communication & Media for the U.S.
Dept. of Education’s Office of Special Education & Rehabilitative
Services. She serves on the Arthritis Foundation – Metropolitan
Washington Chapter Board, was appointed Commissioner of the
Montgomery County Commission on People with Disabilities, and serves
on the Women’s Committee for the National Symphony Orchestra. Her
hobbies include a new-found fitness regime, accessible container
gardening, and traveling. Rizzo’s platform is power through
participation.
This year’s national program was organized by Wayne Sale, President
of Health First of Richmond and Chairman of Ms. Wheelchair
Virginia. “We have had 26 winners competing here this week,” says
Sale, “and they’re all energized to return to their states to
continue their advocacy work, and make a difference for people with
disabilities.” The runners up for the Ms. Wheelchair America 2005
title were as follows:
- 1st Runner Up – Marva Ways, of
Inkster, Michigan
- 2nd Runner Up – Pam Clark, of
Martinsville, Virginia
- 3rd Runner Up – Angela
Wrigglesworth, of Houston, Texas
- 4th Runner Up –
Sarah Anderson, of El Sobrante, California
To participate in
the Ms. Wheelchair America program, women must be 21-60 years old
and use a wheelchair for daily mobility. Marital status is not a
consideration, and it is not a beauty
pageant. Contestants are judged on public speaking, personal
interviews and on-stage interviews.
Sponsors of this year’s national program include Health First Home
Medical Equipment, Schwartz Zweben & Associates, Ford Motor Company,
DateAble, Sunrise Medical/Quickie, Pride Mobility, Independence
Technology, Richmond Marriott and American Airlines.
For
more information on Juliette Rizzo, please visit
www.ms-wheelchair-md.com
and for more information about the Ms. Wheelchair America program,
please go to
www.mswheelchairamerica.org
Media Contact: Ellen Beard (434) 245-8300 |
