MADISON – In her first venture into ‘pageant life,’ Linda Feres won the title of Ms. Senior Madison County Alabama 2020.

The Ms. Senior Alabama Pageant encourages senior citizens to step out of their comfort zone and share their talent and experiences.

Feres represented Madison County in the 34th annual Ms. Senior Alabama Pageant at Crossbridge Church in Birmingham on Sept. 12, 2020. Feres competed with nine other preliminary winners from Alabama. Contestants are 60 years old minimum. Two other women, at least 80 years old, vied for Ms. Super Senior Alabama.

The winner, Dr. Cindy Dixon, will compete in the Ms. Senior World Pageant in Biloxi, Miss. on Nov. 6-10.

A friend’s friend, who is a pageant coach, approached Feres about entering the event. “I felt it was important to participate in a positive and happy event to show people that life does continue and there’s a bright light in an otherwise dark time,” Feres said. “Also, you’re never too old and it’s never too late to do something fun.”

During the pageant’s interview segment, she completed a five-minute question-and-answer session with judges. She treated this segment like a job interview.

For activewear, contestants chose outfits indicative of their casual side. “I’m learning to swing dance, so I wore a ‘rockabilly’ swing dress,” Feres said. For the evening gown/poise segment, “judges seek a contestant whose taste, style, poise and grace best illustrate the ‘Age of Accomplishment.’ I wore a full-length Kelly green, open-sleeve sequined evening gown. I felt it was flattering and very elegant while a color not typically seen,” she said.

In lessons learned, Feres realized many accomplished women older than 60 are willing to share their experiences. “You better break in your show shoes well before the pageant or your feet will pay for it. Also, make-up for a pageant takes forever to put on,” she said.

Feres recommends the pageant experience to other women. “I am and have always been an executive or always working in the business world. I never really had time to see the ‘feminine’ side of myself,” she said.

“To participate in a pageant like this, I had to reach down and find that beautiful me. Trust me, it was not an easy thing to do, but it made me see myself in a different (and foreign) light. I discovered I’m more than a business executive,” Feres said.

Feres is President/CEO of Linda Feres Enterprises LLC. Her children are Daniel Feres, 43, of Madison and Robert Feres, 42, of Arab. She has one grandson and three granddaughters.

“I love to learn so I read a lot, both fiction and non-fiction,” she said. “I write short stories and am currently gathering information to write a humorous book about travel experiences.”

“I recently got engaged to my longtime boyfriend, Mr. Richard (Joe) Ausfahl. He is a bagpipe player who plays for parades and other events,” Feres said.

Officials are seeking sponsors for the 2021 pageant. For information, visit Facebook/Ms. Senior Alabama Inc.

Feres is available for appearances or speaking at events. Call 256-603-3433 or email feres.linda@gmail.com.