Conversations with: Lorraine Gorham

PRIME – January 2015

Director, Ms. Massachusetts Senior America Pageant on Why the Pageant Matters

By Debbie Gardner debbieg@thereminder.com Lorraine Gorham was no stranger to the pageant life when she took over the helm of the Ms. Massachusetts Senior America pageant in 2010. As the former director of the Miss Greater Holyoke and Miss Western Massachusetts pageants – both preliminary events for the Miss America pageant –she knew exactly what it took to pull off a successful competition. So, when the Springfield Jewish Community Center made it known they could no longer sponsor the local Ms. Senior pageant, Gorham – herself a first runner up in the 2000 Ms. Massachusetts Senior America competition – and former State Queens Pat Booth, Jesse Rivers, Connie Lind, Sally Jo Stevens and Fran Owens came together to keep the local pageant, which is open to women 60 years of age and older, going. “I had the expertise of raising money and putting a pageant on,” Gorham said of her decision to take on the mantle of state pageant director. “This [2015] will be our sixth year and we have been successful [at] raising money to put the pageant on.” PRIME recently chatted with Gorham about what it takes to be a contestant in the Ms. Massachusetts Senior America pageant, and why she feels it is an important role model for women of all ages. Q: How do the Ms. Massachusetts Senior America and the national Ms. Senior America pageants help older women feel less “invisible”? “People at 60 years of age have so much to offer! My reason [for competing in 2000] was that I wanted to show people that 60 years of age is something to be proud of. I was still working full time, running my own business, when I entered that pageant. That’s the kind of image we want to share with the world. Our committee and most Senior Americas across the country – there is one in most states – seem to have the ability to help bring out the best in our contestants. For example, you have somebody like Nancy Dusek Gomez, our 2012 Ms. Massachusetts Senior America pageant queen. This was a woman who had sat on the bench as a judge in the Springfield courts all her life, and retired. Yes, she had done volunteer work, but it was one of our past queens who met her by chance and suggested she come to a contestant orientation. Nancy used to sing, and our musical director helped her rediscover her talent. They also helped her to polish her image for the competition. I remember Nancy saying, ‘I’ve never worn dangly earrings in my life!’ … [the pageant] made her glamorous. We helped her discover a different side of herself. The Ms. Senior America pageants try to bring out the best in people. We show [these women] what they can do. Q: Ms. Massachusetts Senior America is more than just a pretty face. What is the most important element you look for in a contestant? “The number one thing we look for is personality. Then, does she have a little talent, and can she speak to a crowd? She doesn’t have to come in with a polished talent, we can help her rediscover an old talent – maybe she sang or danced when she was young. She could even be someone who has no talent and still be a contestant. I’m one of the ones who had no talent when I entered. I went to a song and dance teacher and told her I wanted to do a Mae West or a Marilyn Monroe-type song. She said ‘No, you are doing comedy.’ I ended up doing a Carol Burnett-type skit with a mop and a broom. I came in second to Connie Lind, who is a fabulous singer! You do have to be able to speak in public, but we can help bring that out in a contestant. We help them be ready to speak and prepare for the interview and philosophy of life portions of the competition. Q: Can you explain the importance of the “Pageant Club” and its role in changing the perception of aging? Every past Ms. Senior Massachusetts contestant is a member of the Pageant Club, and we are out there doing things. We are not the kind of women who sit at home, period. Members are out in the community, volunteering, raising awareness, entertaining. We perform at the Big E, the Basketball Hall of Fame, and the Health Fair and at retirement homes. We are in all local parades such as the recent Parade of the Big Balloon in Springfield, MA, the Fourth of July parade in East Longmeadow, MA. And the St Patrick’s Day Parade in Holyoke, MA. In addition, our queens also volunteer at Commerce High School for Christmas and Thanksgiving. We have a dance group in the club – they are all 60 years of age and older, and they meet to rehearse every Wednesday. Gail Madura, who is 70 years of age, did three numbers at our recent USO benefit; she and Lynn Jasmine did another four numbers together. We meet monthly for lunch, and have a Christmas party. And, we help each other. For example we have a lot of girls who are thrift shop mavens and they have taken others shopping and showed them you don’t need a lot of money to dress stylishly.