Brandon Twp.- Elizabeth McGhee wants women to know it’s OK to have a messy house, that they’re not the only one with a 15-year-old who tells them, ‘No way, mom,? that kids don’t always turn out the way you think they will, even when you think you’re doing things right.
She wants them to know conflict resolution is the key to staying married and that kids don’t make you fat, too many Milk Duds do.
If McGhee wins the title of Mrs. Michigan America, she will get several opportunities to talk to women about these issues and more and let them know they aren’t alone.
McGhee, 50, was chosen as Mrs. Michigan Oakland County last fall and will compete in the state pageant on March 29 in East Grand Rapids.
She is no stranger to beauty pageants? she competed in several when she was a teenager and had plans to be Miss Kansas when she was 22, but then as a veterinary student at Kansas State University she met her husband, Charles McGhee, and, she says, ‘all that pageant stuff got pushed aside.?
The couple has been married for 27-and-a-half years and they have nine children, ranging in age from 23 to 8.
‘When my kids were little, me and my girlfriend always watched Miss America,? says McGhee. ‘We loved the glamour and excitement.?
Ten years ago, McGhee was crowned Homemaker of the Year at the Oakland County 4-H Fair, after being encouraged to run by her daughter Grace, who was Fair Queen. They had a good time as a family, she says, and her kids wanted her to run again.
‘To buy them off, I said, ‘When I’m 50, I’ll think about it,?? McGhee said.
Last year, she and daughter Catherine participated in the Michigan Galaxy Pageant, with Catherine winning Junior Miss Michigan Galaxy and McGhee being named first runner-up for Mrs. Michigan Galaxy. When she turned 50, son Charles reminded his mother of what she’d said 10 years earlier. It wasn’t difficult to persuade her, particularly after she saw that the interview portion counts for 50 percent of her total score.
McGhee has impressive credentials? besides homeschooling her nine children, she has a doctorate degree in veterinary medicine, is a boardmember and former president of Mercy and Truth Medical Missions; is a medical team leader to Africa; leads aviation, veterinary science and shooting sports youth clubs; is a lifeline pilot; speaks Kiswahilli and Arabic, and has authored two books. She is also a black belt candidate in karate and has lost more than 75 pounds recently.
However, McGhee says her greatest accomplishment is staying married to the same man and still liking him after 27 years. She and her husband own the North Oakland Veterinary Clinic.
McGhee has nominated Charles for ‘Husband of the Year,? and that is the award she most wants to win. She is looking forward to the overall competition, however, and proudly shows the purple velvet evening gown studded with aurora borealis rhinestones in a vine pattern that she will wear during the evening gown portion of the event. McGhee will also compete in interview and swimsuit portions and will answer an onstage question. She will be eligible for Most Photogenic and Miss Congeniality awards, too.
‘Some pageants are strictly on appearances and treat you like a dumbbell and sex object only,? she said. ‘Not this one. They have appearances booked for the winner already. I want to mentor and encourage women. Stick with your marriage and your kids, it’s worth it. Be the mentor you always wanted.?