Henderson woman who survived horrific car crash crowned Ms. America International

Tracy Rodgers of Henderson has been crowned Ms. America International 2017.

The crowning took place Saturday in Brea, California. Women older than 40 competed for the title Rodgers won.

Rodgers, 46, who was featured in Review-Journal columnist Paul Harasim’s Aug. 28 column, was critically injured in a car crash five years ago not far from her then-home in Logandale.

She underwent 29 surgeries, and doctors feared she would never walk again.

After not being able to compete in the 2011 pageant, Rodgers, the mother of two boys, vowed to one day compete and win the title.

Before winning the crown, Rodgers, who works as an independent wound care specialist said, told Harasim, “Life is hard. It’s not for sissies. What you do with challenges in life is up to you.”

On Wednesday, with the title in hand, she said, “To be able to walk onto the stage and finish the race that I started, that was my goal. I’m not a quitter.”

Rodgers said she had a plethora of emotions upon winning the title.

”I was very overwhelmed, excited and nervous,” she added. “It’s kind of like closure for me but also a whole new beginning. Now I get to travel the country and share my story and share inspiration and motivation. I get to meet other people who have overcome big things in their lives and say, ‘Don’t let past circumstances define you.’”