How These Dynamic Women Won the Ms. Senior America Pageant

They prove beauty isn’t skin deep but soul deep.

By

Laura Sturza

 
Published February 20, 2025
Numerous women on stage with the newest crowned Ms. Senior America
Courtesy Sherri McGhie

When I heard about the Ms. Senior America Pageant, I loved the idea of women over 60 showing off their talents and strutting their stuff across a huge Atlantic City stage. I contemplated entering, although I had never considered participating in a pageant before.

I decided against it when I learned that preparing for the competition would take months of dedicated work. Still, the more I found out about the pageant, the more I admired the talented, gutsy women who participated. These women I interviewed have serious chops and often face major obstacles.     

“ Some of them are cancer or stroke survivors," said pageant president Denise Caiazzo. Sometimes, people need to drop out due to their own health concerns or those of family members. But other times, these hearty women stick it out, such as one competitor who broke her rib, but stayed in the competition.

They do it because "It lifts up senior women," Caiazzo added. "For a lot of them, this is on their bucket list. They've told me, 'I feel like I was in a fairy tale'."

Most contestants first win a statewide competition to secure a spot at the national event, which takes place in early October. Their expenses are covered through fundraisers at the state level.

That never-give-up attitude is one of many qualities that helped this year's newly crowned 2024/2025 Ms. Senior America Natalie Oliver-Atherton win at the October finals at Atlantic City's Tropicana Hotel. When the 64-year-old was crowned first runner-up in her home state of Colorado, she felt sure it was her year to compete nationally.

That's when she heard about the option to represent the open state of Louisiana. "In my life, it's not no until I say no," she said. "I'm a very spirit-led person, so when I feel that still, small voice ... I'm just not going to give up."

Oliver-Atherton's vision for herself, coupled with a talent honed during a career as a singer, actress and coach, has meant she just completed a year's reign as Mrs. Colorado American (a different pageant). It was not her first.

"I started 43 years ago on this very same boardwalk representing New Hampshire in the Miss America pageant," she said. "It's a full circle, glorious, triumphant finish to a long pageant history … I was here at the very beginning of my life and career, pursuing pageantry in the hopes of claiming some much-needed scholarship money for college.”

So winning now, is “Just a kick; it's just the sweetest doggone thing."

Ms. Senior America contestants are judged during the competition on several factors: an interview with the judges to demonstrate personality and conversational skills, their poise and grace in an evening gown competition, a philosophy of life statement, and a performed talent that can be shared at appearances at hospitals, schools, veterans’ homes and other venues during the winner's yearlong reign.

Longtime pageant judge Steve Newport got involved with the Ms. Senior America pageant because, he said, "I was shocked at nationals the first year I judged; those women blew me away. Their talent was on par with what I've seen in the Miss America competition."

Oliver-Atherton will fulfill the duties of her reign by helping the pageant coordinators gain greater visibility through efforts such as daily Facebook posts and expanding sponsorship opportunities. In addition, she will continue volunteering for organizations tackling breast cancer and leukemia and will visit state pageants to offer support.

While this year's queen had years of pageant experience, it was the first competition for the previous winner, Dr. Terre Denise Quinn. The 63-year-old practicing breast cancer surgeon got involved thanks to the encouragement of former Senior Ms. Texas Joyce Brown. When Quinn was a child, her mom told her she had no talent, but Quinn worked hard to perfect her tap dancing, which she started doing in her 50s.

What sold her on pursuing the crown was realizing it could "provide a bigger platform to promote early detection of cancer." She spent the year speaking to people of all ages about women's health, breast care and domestic partner violence.

Quinn echoed sentiments about the collegial nature of the pageant expressed by Caiazzo and Oliver-Atherton. The prevailing mood, she said, is one of support, even if there were a few who she described as being more cutthroat. Most contestants were cheering for one another. "I'm making friends all over the country," Quinn said. "I feel like I can go to almost any state and find a pageant sister with whom to stay.”

Oliver-Atherton said those interested in competing should plan to devote as much time as possible to prepare. She suggests that women get a coach with pageant experience who can help them with the talent, interview, philosophy and gown segments. Caiazzo said many women also prepare by watching YouTube videos on makeup, styling and walking. Prospective contestants and those who want to be in the audience at a state or national competition can get more information on the Ms. Senior America pageant website.

Winners go home with swag beyond the honor of their one-year reign of representing seniors across America. The queen receives $4,000 for travel, all expenses paid for the next year's pageant, a gold and diamond necklace, a jacket, a crown and a sash. Oliver-Atherton loved that women were also encouraged to bring small gifts from their home states to share with one another.

Along with the chance to be of service, the camaraderie and the gifts, the pageant is a platform for women to shine and inspire others to do so. Pageant organizers ask contestants never to leave their Atlantic City hotel rooms without wearing their state crowns and sashes. Oliver-Atherton said doing so allowed shyer contestants to push themselves into the spotlight. This year's extroverted winner relished the chance to serve as a "parade float walking around the Tropicana," where onlookers applauded and yelled, "We vote for you!"

The pageant lets older women be seen, heard, valued and understood. As Oliver-Atherton put it: "To be allowed to be a representative of what 60-something looks like now and are doing with our lives right now, is humbling, and delightful, and exciting, and just all the things."

Would YOU ever enter a Ms. Senior America pageant? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments below.

Laura Sturza’s work appears in publications including AARP’s The Girlfriend, The New York Times, The Boston Globe, the LA Times, The Washington Post, Santa Fe Writers Project Journal, Lunch Ticket, Oldster, The Mindfulness Bell, Washington Writers' Publishing House and three anthologies. Laura has completed the memoir, Better Late: The Making of a Midlife First-Time Bride, and is submitting it for publication. Laura wrote, produced and starred in the one-woman show Finding the Perfect Place to Live in 111 Gyrations. She teaches memoir writing, primarily to older adults, and is inspired by her students' bravery and talent. (laurasturza.com)