By Hannah Curran, Editor
LEEDS — A Kimberly woman was crowned the new Ms. Senior Alabama 2021-2022 at Leeds City Hall on December 10, 2021.
Former Ms. Senior Alabama, Tammy Little Haynes, won the title in the 35th anniversary of Ms. Senior Alabama. She competed in Ms. Senior World in Biloxi, Mississippi, November 6 – 10. Upon Haynes winning Ms. Senior World 60s 2022, Dana Lynn Self was crowned the new Ms. Senior Alabama 2021-2022.
Self competed in the Ms. Senior Alabama 2021 in July 2021. The competition was held at Springville Camp and Conference Center. She won second alternate and is proud to have participated in the pageant. After Haynes won Ms. Senior Wold 60s 2022, Self was shocked to realize that after first alternate, Ms. Senior Helena Kathy Paiml, chose not to take the title; it then passed directly to Self.
“Tammy gave up the title of Ms. Senior Alabama because she’s Ms. Senior World 60s, and that’s how I ended up taking the title is because Kathy wanted to compete again, and she gave up the title to me,” Self said. “I think I’m the first, second runner-up to ever hold the title. So that’s pretty cool.”
Eight years ago, Self was diagnosed with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), and she uses her experience to help spread awareness through her platform for people to get vaccinated.
ARDS occurs when fluid builds up in the tiny, elastic air sacs (alveoli) in your lungs. The fluid keeps your lungs from filling with enough air, which means less oxygen reaches your bloodstream. This deprives your organs of the oxygen they need to function.
“My platform for the pageant was going to be encouraging the people of Alabama to consider getting vaccinated because our history all the way back to George Washington was involving vaccines to save lives. God has faithfully provided for us every time, and it has helped change our country for the better. I am passionate about any Community Service I can be a part of to help the state I love so much. Our Sweet Home Alabama,” Self said.
Self never saw herself as a “pageant girl,” but once she realized the impact she could make in someone else’s life, she decided the Ms. Senior Alabama pageant was exactly what she needed to do. Self explained that her biggest inspiration has been Ms. Super Senior, Ms. Marshall County Jean Head.
“I’ve been so inspired by her energy and ability and her commitment to serve,” Self said. “I could go on and on with all the blessings of just being in a group of women that God has put me in the company of, and every time is just been another thing that is just a bit so thankful for the opportunity. I still have to pinch myself because I thought after the pageant in July, I just said, well, whatever I was supposed to do, I got second runner up. Lord, if you can still use me somehow, help me to know how.”
Self has spoken to several women since starting her Ms. Senior Alabama journey, and she understands that pageants are intimidating, but Self said pageants are fun to a part of.
“I would say, step out in faith, you will not be sorry to say that you can get dressed up, and be on stage and perform and have the fellowship that you have,” Self said. “Pageants are just two days. It’s the day before rehearsal and the day after, and we do have a workshop. But everything, you just gained something from it, you gain strength, knowledge, courage, wisdom, and confidence. It’s exciting, and it really is a blessing.”
To learn more about Ms. Senior Alabama, visit www.mssenioralabama.com.