What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
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!! SEPTEMBER 22-28, 2019 WHAT'S UP! 37 Erica Graser-Gates Ms. Wheelchair Arkansas 2019 Q: Are you more excited or nervous about this event? A: I'm the ninth of 10 kids, so I'm not nervous! I am excited about being included — what an honor to be included. I'm also super excited about the inclusion and the diversity. I think showcasing women of all shapes and sizes is amazing. Q: What do you hope comes of your involvement with NWAFW? A: I'm such an advocate, and I'm all about empowerment of women, especially those women that go above and beyond in their community. I'm excited just to connect. I tell everyone, everything I do today, every path that I forge, is for the next generations behind me. I don't care if you're one year behind me or 20 — what I'm doing is for your tomorrows. Q: How do you feel about the NWA Fashion Week's commitment to diversity and inclusion? A: I will tell you: It's so important, because the disabled community is so underserved, and the reality is in every single person's lifetime you will either directly or indirectly be affected by wheels — that's the bottom line. The other important part is bridging that gap between walkers and rollers: Showing that women in wheelchairs are just as beautiful and gorgeous and sexy and fashion forward and have just as much attitude as any other woman out there — we just do things a little differently sometimes. But doesn't everybody? Photo by Jackson L. Gates NWAFW model Erica Graser-Gates holds the title of Ms. Wheelchair Arkansas 2019. Fashion Continued From Page 3 See Fashion Page 38 Help save our planet COVER STORY