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Winning a pageant is a great way to feel beautiful, but even better for Wilma Terry-Mason, it’s a chance to share some important messages about early detection of breast cancer.
Terry-Mason, of Matteson, who was crowned National Mrs. Regal Elegance 2023 last month in New Orleans, has loved participating in pageants since 2004. But a big part of wanting to compete in this one was that it is a faith-based competition. She also knew LaMetria Johnson, who directs the competition, and trusted her.
“You have to do a lot of research when it comes to these things because for a lot of women who really do a lot of work in their community, to win a crown just brings that much more attention to whatever your cause is,” Terry-Mason said.
She received a new sash and crown after the pageant, but she loves being able to share the importance of self-care through her win, encouraging women and men to do self-breast exams and see a doctor if they notice a lump. She plans to seek opportunities to speak at evens and gatherings and is using her social media platforms to spread the message.
The 55-year-old, who lives with her husband, Norman, and cat, Tater, knows the importance of early detection because she was diagnosed with breast cancer 26 years ago. She considers herself lucky to be alive because her cancer was caught early. She had to have her left breast removed and undergo chemotherapy. Three years ago her oncologist also noticed another dangerous-looking spot and she underwent radiation therapy for that.
“There’s a lot of women who are afraid,” Terry-Mason said. “They won’t even take that first step to try to figure out anything because they’re afraid. A mammogram is something essentially your doctor would recommend you do but something you can always do yourself is self-breast examinations.”
Terry-Mason competed against three other women for the Mrs. Regal Elegance title. The competition included segments such as Outfit of Choice and Evening Gown and judges asked questions about contestants’ backgrounds. She also competed in optional categories, winning for most photogenic as well as a talent competition, for which she did a “praise dance.”
Her wins and accomplishments come as no surprise to lifelong friend Chandra Thomas. The two met at church in Evanston, where they used to live, and sang in the choir together.
“She is the bright spot for those little girls who don’t think of themselves being able to compete in a traditional pageant because of skin color, age and their weight. She has dispelled a lot of that,” Thomas said. “The problem for us is we never really had a Barbie who represented us. That’s what we see in Wilma.”
Thomas said she is in awe of her friend’s creativity as a hair stylist and makeup artist, and Terry-Mason also stands out as a spokeswoman, using her empathy to spread her messages.
“She is an absolutely wonderful spokesperson for breast cancer in that women do have a life after they’ve been diagnosed,” she said.
Janice Neumann is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.