Monique Bruner
September Supplemental First
Edition
|
Britton Street Mall Antiques & Collectibles held its
grand opening on Saturday, September 12, 2009. The mall
features unique booths full of antiques and
collectibles. They had a live band, door prizes and
free food for all that attended. I had a great time
meeting new people, taking photos and signing
autographs. I couldn’t believe the people that were
waiting on me and wanted to hear about the MPA system.
You can get the location, mall hours, and view items
showcased at the mall by checking their website
www.brittonstreetmall.com.
Bonnie (the owner), Melvina (booth with spiritual gifts)
and Wilma (my mom and distinguished antique dealer)
made me feel like a famous model – helping me with
something to drink, showing me their booths and making
sure the table was set up for me to sign autographs.
The one shop that really made me stop and shop was
Inspirational-Expressions (thanks again Melvina). You
can see some of her spiritual and inspirational gifts at
www.inspirational-expressions.com.
Bonnie, Melvina
and Wilma we didn’t get a picture all together but we
will before it’s all over. Now I know what to look for
in an antique…you never know I may need to get a booth.
I will have to bring my Girl Scouts up there so they can
appreciate the antiques, learn about the value of things
and consider going into business for themselves.
Female Business
Owners Rule – Make Sure You Give Back!
Monique Bruner
Mrs. Plus America
September Supplemental 2nd
Edition
|
Integris Health (Oklahoma’s largest not-for-profit health
organization) sponsored the African American Women’s Health
Summit on Saturday, September 12, 2009. The summit is a
community outreach event to educate African American women
on health issues that plague their community. Over 1,300
women gathered to discuss the plight of African American
female health in Oklahoma, meet doctors, learn about health
organizations, and other companies that care about women’s
health.
There was a long question/answer period where a panel of
doctors answered questions from the audience. Some of the
doctors on the panel were: Charlyce Davis, family med;
Nichole Washington, psychiatry; Marilyn Appiah, OB/GYN;
Sharon Smallwood, family med; Courtney Gray & Angela Selmon,
emergency medicine.
Several services were discussed but most interesting was
that Integris Health offers free medical services on a
regular basis. They ask that you call for an appointment
(405) 951-2277. They see patients every Monday except the
first Monday of each month. Amazing what you find out at
free seminars. Several statements were made that made me
think but these really stuck out for me:
·
Women must carefully choose their doctor like you search for
a great hairstylist.
·
Is your doctor board certified?
·
Do they spend time answering your questions?
The status of women in Oklahoma is really scary. Check out
these Oklahoma statistics:
·
#1 in women in prison & in child abuse
·
#4 in divorce & women murdered by men
·
#6 in teen births
These numbers are not OK. What can you
do to change them? Check out the following website:
www.oklahomawomenscoalition.org
and ask them how you
can help.
More importantly, I shared information about the Miss Plus
America pageant with hundreds of women. Oklahoma State
directors (Franchesca and Virginia Thomas) set up a booth to
recruit women for the state pageant. I talked about my
platform, discussed my journey and took pictures of those
interested. We had more than 30 women fill out interest
cards. Plus, I took a picture with one of our Corporation
Commissioners – Willa Johnson!
Educate Yourself and
Encourage Others!
Monique Bruner
Mrs.
Plus America
October Diary Entry
On Friday, October 9,
2009 the Science Museum of Oklahoma hosted a Girl Scout
Lock-In. They welcomed over 200 Girl Scouts and their troop
leaders to a night of fantastic science adventure. As the
leader for Troop #630, I embarked on this “Science Live”
event with 5 Girl Scouts. We had everything we needed –
sleeping bags, snacks, pillows, water, laptop, IPOD, and
open minds. Angelique was called to assist in a fire
explosion experiment – boy was that entertaining. We
learned about combustible material and how to safely perform
dangerous experiments. Drew, the Science Guy, was extremely
entertaining and really good at keeping the young ladies
interested. The video interaction, the encouragement of
loud screaming and yelling along with old school music and
dancing is the way I like to learn about science. You know
my girls wanted to take a picture with Drew, make sure you
check it out below.
Then we saw the movie,
“Wild Ocean”, about the wild sea on the coast of South
Africa. The movie was in a dome theater and made you feel
that you were really on the oceanfront. Reminded me of the
Soarin ride at Disney World – you could almost spell it and
feel it. After learning about the yearly migration of
sardines and the animals that hunt them we were asked how we
can help keep the ocean pure. We talked in a small group
about 10 minutes about the changes we could make and plan to
write our Congressman to ask for their support in protecting
America’s oceanfront property.
We rounded out the night by
playing with all of the science experiments on the museum
floor, climbing the rock wall, take pictures, and watching
movies. Oh, we also worked on several badges by doing
experiments ourselves. The following are projects we
completed: Movers – pinwheel & paper copter; Science Wonders
– bubbles & magnet hunt; Science Sleuth – crystals,
fingerprinting, water science, & complex machines; Science
Discovery – water tricks, visit a museum & friction fun; and
Making it Matter – spaghetti towers and bogers. The staff
was great with the girls, patiently answering questions,
telling jokes and taking time to let them know that they
cared.
The extra fun part was
camp-out without the ’little house on the prairie’
experience – this is the type of camping I can handle. As
far as sleeping, well I’m up at 2am typing this so how much
sleep in my lounging beach chair do you think I got? But I
wouldn’t change the experience for anything in the world as
the girls had the ‘bestest’ time (at least that is what they
said). Here are a few comments from the Girl Scouts:
Tykea – “seeing the Science Live made me want to be a
scientist”. Angelique – “I loved playing on the Gadget Tree
and climbing the rock wall”.
Well that’s enough about my
night at the museum. What have you done this month to
inspire a young girl? Email me and tell me your story – I
would love to hear it. Big thanks to the staff at the
Science Museum of Oklahoma (www.sciencemuseumok.org) and the
Girl Scouts Western Oklahoma Council (www.gswestok.org).
Take a minute to enjoy the pictures.
Until next time…
Monique Bruner
Mrs.
Plus America
October Supplemental First
Edition
Mrs. Plus America Participates in AIDS Walk of Oklahoma City
October 11, 2009
Why is Monique so passionate about the
HIV/AIDS education? Its simple HIV/AIDS disproportionally
affects the African American population, particularly in
Oklahoma. My friend and sorority sister, Terrainia Harris,
is the Vice President of the AIDS Walk of Oklahoma keeps me
informed (www.aidswalkokc.org).
We have been working to educate Oklahomans about HIV/AIDS
over 10 years. She works in the community everyday while I
help out in events like this one.
Since 1998, the AIDS Walk of Oklahoma City has distributed
more than $400,000 in grants to local non-profit
organizations providing critically needed services to
individuals living with HIV or AIDS. You can help stop the
increase of HIV/AIDS cases by sharing educational
information, helping an organization that provides services
to those with HIV/AIDS, or donating money to the cause. Go
to
www.aidswalkokc.org
for more details.
These statistics blew my mind and make educating individuals
even more paramount.
“Over
the past eight years, Oklahoma has seen a 76% increase in
black adults living HIV. Although the black population only
accounts for approximately 7% of the Oklahoma population,
they account for 34% of the cases of HIV.” Oklahoma State
Health Department, Dec. 2008
“Approximately 85% of black people living with HIV are
between ages 20-49 years of age. During the past eight
years, there has been a 125% increase in living HIV cases
for black Oklahomans ages 30-39. The most dramatic increase
was observed in those ages 40-49 years of age.” Oklahoma
State Health Department, Dec. 2008
“There has been a 113% increase in black females living with
HIV in Oklahoma. The rate of black females living with HIV
in Oklahoma for 2007 was 13 per 100,000 while white female’s
rates were 1.3 per 100,000. Black female rates have increase
from 6 living HIV cases per 100, 000 population in 2000 to
13 per 100,000 population in 2007.” Oklahoma State Health
Department, Dec. 2008
Do what you can to make a change that betters the world.
Monique Bruner
Mrs. Plus America
October Supplemental Second
Edition
Mrs. Plus America Emcees DOVE Princess Tea Party
October 11, 2009
Sunday, October 11, 2009 was a busy
day for me (church, AIDS walk and Princess Party) but it was
well worth it. The DOVE Princess Test Party was sponsored
by DOVE and Community Youth Outreach (CYO). This tea party
was the 2nd part of the DOVE’s Self-Esteem
project and was held at Langston University – OKC campus.
Mrs. Flossie Thurston conducted a workshop on Self-Esteem
and the media. The girls watched a video on how much work
goes into producing an advertisement for magazines (the
make-up, hair, lighting, and computer digitized changes)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hibyAJOSW8U
or check out this video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWzbIVwGd1E.
Even though the party started a few minutes late, we had a
GREAT time. After introductions, we ate healthy snacks and
punch, met everyone at our individual tables (which were
organized according to age), watched the video and Mrs.
Thurston’s presentation, developed a poster about what/how
we saw ourselves, had a empowerment discussion, presented
the posters to the group and ended the afternoon with tons
of prizes. Mrs. Thurston taught us a song that started out
with this – “Be happy with the skin you are in…” and we had
to shout out what we liked about our skin it was so
refreshing to hear what the young ladies had to say. I was
honored that one of the groups added my picture to the
center of their poster and said “they saw me as a picture of
true beauty both inside and out” (it almost made me cry and
that wasn’t even my group).
I LOVE CYO and the work that they do. Mrs. Gwen and the CYO
staff works hard to provide educational yet artistic
activities for the youth in Oklahoma City. I look forward
to helping with many other events. I also want to thank
Miss Oklahoma Plus America, Candace Scott, for supporting
this event and offering her time to mentor several young
ladies in the program.
Remember what The DOVE Self-Esteem Fund says, “Things won’t
change until we change them”.
Monique
Bruner
Mrs. Plus America
November Diary Entry
Mrs. Plus America Featured in Rose State College Newspaper
November 6, 2009
Working hard to expose my platform, sharing my passion for
community service, the Rose State College newspaper featured
me in the Entertainment Spotlight. The article talked about
my position as Professor of Political Science, winning Mrs.
Plus America and random thoughts. In this troubled
financial time, everyone should work to make their
neighborhood the best place to live. Live by my favorite
quote “Good, better, best – never let it rest – until the
good is better and the better is best”.
February Diary Entry
Celebration of African American Authors – February 6, 2010
I had a great time coordinating this event. Working with
the authors and the Oklahoma City Urban League Young
Professionals has changed my life. I plan to continue my
work with as co-chair of the CAAA event. I give kudos and
special thanks to my co-chair and the reigning Mrs. Oklahoma
County, Angela Russell.
The Celebration of African American Authors is sponsored by
the Oklahoma City Urban League Young Professionals every
year to promote literacy and provide an outlet of African
American authors to promote their work. The event took
place on Saturday, February 6 from 9-3p at Penn Square Mall
in Oklahoma City. The authors present were: Pat Simmons,
Tiffany Warren, Shandra Love, Shonna White, Maria Jackson,
Cheryl Austin, Sean Chandler, Kendall Turner, Linda Drew,
Cynthia Banks, Dr. Steven Heyman, and Joe Simmons. They had
100’s of people to come by to purchase books, talk about
writing, get autographs, and take pictures. Read All About
It (part of the Metropolitan Library System) came to
interview the authors for their weekly television show and
made us all feel like movie stars. Check out some of these
authors and purchase their books. You may also check out
the Urban League Young Professionals in your area.
Monique
Bruner
Mrs. Plus America
February Supplemental Second
Edition
Prom Dress Giveaway – February 27, 2010
The Oklahoma City Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta donated
over 150 gowns to local teens. Young ladies started
showing up at 8am for their chance to get everything they
needed to attend the prom. Fairy Godmothers escorted the
ladies through dress selection, fitting, accessories,
make-up and shoes. While waiting teens were able to get
lessons on college applications, safe sex, relaxation, and
true beauty.
I presented a workshop title “Live Your Life
Beautifully”. I talked for nearly 45 minutes on why I
entered the Miss Plus America pageant, my experience as a
state and national queen, and a mini-boot camp – teaching
how to stand and walk like a queen. The Oklahoma State
Director Franchesa Thomas was also in there taking
applications for the state pageant. Ms. Oklahoma County
also came to share her platform and minister to several
people in the audience.
Monique
Bruner
Mrs. Plus America
Monique's New Photo
Shoot!
March and April
Appearances
The last six months has been a blur for me.
I’ve lived through great heartbreak and tear jerking
sadness with the cancer that overtook my dad’s body.
On the morning of April 17, 2010, God called my
father home to a much greater place than this…even though I
know he is now living with my Lord Jesus it pains my heart
not to be able talk with him in the flesh.
So please forgive me in my lack of communication and
untimely diary updates.
Even
with all of my family duties, I did make several appearances
in March and April.
·
I made a quick
appearance on the Ruby Show as I was a judge for the Plus
Teen USA pageant. You can still catch
the show on the Style channel or check out the video
segments online at
http://www.mystyle.com/mystyle/shows/ruby/videos/index.jsp
·
On March
6 - Joyce Lewis, Gigi Alexander and I put on the
Oklahoma Plus America Boot Camp. We
taught the delegates about how to put their pageant day
together – packing, having back up outfits, walking in
evening wear and fashion pant wear, mini-interviews, and the
optional competition. It was AWESOME!
·
On March
26 – I transformed into a political activist named
Ida B. Wells Barnett. Ida was
instrumental in getting women the right to vote, pursuing
equal rights for women, and speaking out against lynching.
I presented at workshop at this Women’s Leadership
Conference titled, “Political Activism, Giving Women a
Voice”.
·
The weekend
after Easter - April 9-11, I took 15 girl
scouts (with 4 other adults) camping.
Yes, I said it…we survived a weekend in open air cabins,
using latrines, and eating food cooked over an open flame.
Camping only confirmed the fact that I’m a city girl…
·
On
April 30 – May 1, with a sad heart but need to be
busy, I participated in the Oklahoma Plus America Pageant.
We had two days full of activities and a wonderful
pageant. I was able to seek comfort in
my sister queens – Leaha, Candace, Ellaleilani, and Joyce –
while getting to know most of the Oklahoma delegates.
Ms. Plus America,
Steph DeWaegeneer, rocked
the pageant with her funny jokes and expert way of keeping
the night moving. Congratulations to all
that participated and good luck to those heading to
Nationals.
In honor of my father, I’m only submitting one picture…we
took it the night I won Mrs. Plus America.
That night he told me that he couldn’t be any prouder
of me…his “baby girl”…
Monique
Bruner
Mrs. Plus America
