Ms. Wheelchair California 2012
THE OFFICIAL STATE PAGEANT OF THE MS. WHEELCHAIR AMERICA ORGANIZATION.
Congratulations
Mary Zendejas
Ms. Wheelchair California 2012
Mary Zendejas was born in Michoacán, Mexico to humble and hard working parents. Due to the lack of access to the Polio vaccine, Mary was diagnosed with Polio at the age of 8 months old. Mary’s parents decided to immigrate to the United States of America to seek medical treatment for her. She received treatment at the Children’s Orthopedic Hospital in Los Angeles, California. Shortly after she was referred to Rancho Los Amigos Hospital, who welcomed her with open arms and guided her toward a more fulfilling and independent life. Not only through medical treatment, but through the experiences of interacting with other children and adults who were disabled.
Mary comes from a family of 9 brothers and sisters. A family whose core values are family, love, respect, and most importantly God. She realized that when you have family and love, everything else is secondary.
Mary was not only the first child to graduate from High School but also the first to be accepted to college. Mary became a United States of America Citizen as soon as she was 18 years old. She graduated from Mount St. Mary’s College with her Associates of Arts in Liberal Arts. She continued her education at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), where she received her Bachelor Arts in Speech Communication. Mary strongly believes in continuous education and that education is a never ending fountain of opportunities and knowledge. Mary gives credit to her experiences at CSULB for shaping her into the resilient, determined, and perseverant, woman she is today.
Mary has held positions at, CSULB, Long Beach Transit, Atlantis Insurance, and Keller Graduate School, and at The Disabled Resources Center before landing her ideal position at St. Mary Medical Center (SMMC) as Assistant Program Coordinator, She has always had a passion for helping others who are less fortunate. In this position she was a home health-home visitor and would educate low income women on varies health issues. She would guide, support, and case-manage at risk pregnant women from their first trimester up until the child turned two years old. Her stay at (SMMC) was short lived, after only working there for a couple of years she had a fall that changed her life forever. It was a fall that could heal in weeks for any other person without polio, but this fall put Mary in the hospital for almost four months. It was a life changing experience. After the fall, Mary would no longer be able to stand on her already weakened legs. She had to have 24 hour care for the next eight years and was unable to work. Before her accident she was extremely involved with the City of Long Beach Community, she was a member of , Neighborhood Leadership Program, Americans Business Association, Leadership Long Beach, Long Beach Jr. Chamber of Commerce, Board Member for Good-will, Adviser for Disabled Student Services at CSULB, Active Alumni of Delta Sigma Chi, and much more. It is obvious how much of a toll this accident had on Mary. Years of trying to get out of this unfamiliar situation and not being able to make it happen was frustrating but Mary never gave up, she refused to be a victim. It was not until 2010, that Mary was ready physically and mentally to start living again. She started to make things happen for her. She was reinstated as a commissioner for the Citizen’s Advisory Committee on Disabilities for the City of Long Beach. She was appointed as National Historian for Delta Sigma Chi National Board, She graduated from The California Conference for Equality and Justice, Human Dignity Program as an A-team members to be able to support and guide victims of hate crime along with the Long Beach Police Department, Mary continues to help individuals with disability as she offered herself to volunteer at the Information Center for People with Disabilities at the Long Beach Main Public Library. Even though Mary was back in full force, there was still that burning desire to do something for individuals who have disabilities and who are hard workers. After a lot of though and research, Mary Founded the DisABLED Professionals Association. It is an association that celebrates not only the uniqueness of persons with disabilities but also their accomplishment in the professional/corporate world.
As Ms. Wheelchair California 2012, Mary plans to promote self-advocacy, continuous education and employment for persons with disabilities. She hopes to be able to touch many lives and motive them to always keep improving themselves. Mary has struggled and over come many challenges to get to where she is today.
Following are some quotes from a couple of Mary’s long time close friends.
“Mary Zendejas is one of the most beautiful, caring, courageous, and compassionate people I have ever met. She continually inspires me with her ability to rise above many challenges in life. Others would have given up. Not Mary. In the face of defeat, Mary sits up even taller and finds a way to move even faster. Mary’s greatest joy comes in giving to others. Her focus is always on service and she can light up a room with her smile”, Jane Roeder Managing Director/Ukleja Center for Ethical Leadership at CSULB.
"Mary is one of the sweetest, thoughtful, and courageous person I have ever
meet. She is very determined and passionate in being involved in the disabled community. She has the ability to energize a room with her smile, laughs and cheerful personality." Duwayne Tso / Honda North America Inc.
“Beautiful, spiritual, determined, kind, radiant, optimistic, intelligent are all words that I would use to describe Mary Zendejas. She exemplifies what a young woman should be with or without a disability. She views things as challenges and not obstacles. Mary can light up a room with a smile and seems to know everyone on the campus of Long Beach State. Mary is one of those rare individuals that you will not soon forget because her star shines so bright”. Linda Sherwood, Coordinator Student Life and Development at CSULB.
Mary is anxiously awaiting what this year will bring for her as Ms. Wheelchair California 2012. Her motto is “The harder the struggle, the sweeter the triumph is”. She plans to stay true to her favorite Maya Angelou quote, “ Success is like yourself, liking what you do , and liking how you do it”.
“I believe in re-defining beauty strength through positive attitude continuous education and continuous personal development, as well as, employment possibilities.“ Mary Zendejas / Ms. Wheelchair California 2012.
Ms. Wheelchair California is available for speaking engagements and appearances upon request. Please click here to book her for your next event!
