Events, Action and TRAINING!

September has flown by, and I am excited to share with you that October and November look to be really exciting months. September was filled with wonderful appearances, and some fabulous opportunities to share the International pageant and the Go Red program with people across the state of Arkansas. I ended the month with some really fun events. On Friday the 26Th I was interview for the television show "Living Local", hosted by Heather Kendrick. we were able to sit in my living room, and just have a really nice "girl chat"...that just happened to be filmed! Heather and I discussed the International pageant, my personal pageant journey, and of course my work with the American Heart Association! The show will air at the end of October. Then, on the final day of the month I was interviewed by Women's Inc. Women's Inc. is a statewide periodical that focuses on issues of import to women in all stages of life. I am very honored that they have chosen to feature me in their November issue, which is all about individuals who give back to their communities. Mother and I were featured as "cover girls" for Women's Inc in 2005, and our story of commitment to educating women to the dangers they face from heart disease was the topic. I am thrilled and so honored to be back in their pages, this time as Mrs. International 2008. This interview focuses once again on my work with the AHA, but also the Mrs. International system and what sets it apart from all other systems.
October starts out with a bang! Thursday evening is the AHA's Festival of Wines, which raises $200,000 annually for heart disease research and education programs in Arkansas. I'll be there making an official appearance, and working behind the scenes. Friday night I have the annual CASA "Festival of Chairs", and the launch of the Greater Arkansas Heart Gallery. We are so excited to finally be launching the Heart Gallery, after months of planning and preparation. Then, it's off to Austin Texas for me for the AHA's multi-state lobbyist training. This training actually prepares and qualifies me to lobby in several states. I'm thrilled to be branching out with my legislative duties. We then have our first full committee meeting of the Legislative Advocacy committee on the 22ND, and will have the AHA vice-president of Legislative Advocacy, Terri Bloussard, with us. That is both exciting and stressful for me as the chairman of the committee.
These next few months are going to be full and fun! I'll do my best to keep you posted. Thanks to all of you for the continued emails of support and encouragement.