Terry Meade of Princeton Junction was honored as a finalist in the 2014 Ms. New Jersey Senior America Pageant on June 5 in Atlantic City. The event celebrated women reaching their “Age of Elegance.” Meade, a first-time contestant, was selected as one of 14 women chosen from New Jersey. Competing in this pageant “was never on my radar,” said Meade. “I was nominated and contacted by the directors of the pageant.” Seeing this as another opportunity to share her husband’s life-saving heart transplant story (The News, February 7), Meade decided to enter. She performed and recited her “Philosophy of Life” speech, highlighting her role in raising awareness of the critical need for organ and tissue donations.
Though this was Meade’s first time in a pageant, she is no stranger to the stage. Her mother performed in community theater, and both her parents were ballroom dancers. Meade has been a dancer all her life and an actress in many theater events at Village Grande, where she lives. She recently retired from performing with a dance troupe.
“Having been a performer all my life, this was the first time I felt that I could do something for myself. And I loved the experience,” said Meade. However, as a speaker for organizations that she and her husband, Mark, represent including the Gift of Life donor program, American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, NJ Sharing Network, and the Mercer County Board of Freeholders, Meade found it difficult to find time to prepare for the pageant.
In Meade’s spare time, she enjoys musical theater, concerts, dance, costume design, sewing, public speaking, and visiting Atlantic City. “My most ‘special interest’ is my amazing family and my three wonderful grandsons, who are all taller than I am now,” said Meade. Meade and her husband are originally from Brooklyn, New York. They moved to West Windsor in 2000. Meade, alongside her husband and son, are in the promotional products industry. She has a degree in executive secretarial science and once owned two retail businesses. She has a daughter, Cindy, who lives in Jackson and a son, Scott, who lives in Barnegat. Her grandsons range in age from 13 to 15.
While Meade said she “probably will not compete in the pageant next year,” she will be performing statewide with the Ms. NJ Senior America Cameo Club throughout the year. On reaching the “Age of Elegance,” Meade said, “It is an opportunity for senior ladies to share our talent, knowledge, experience, and resources with younger generations.”
