Daughter, wife, teacher, mother and grandmother Cherry Rachal, 56, has been given another hat to wear. Make that a tiara.

This May, the Central Kitsap resident began her reign as Mrs. Washington International 2003. In September she vies for the title of Mrs. International in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.

“I chose to be in this pageant because of what its purpose is — to enrich family life and the lives of women,” she said.

She laughs and says her first ever pageant title of Mrs. Washington International must have been divine intervention. There were six contestants — too few to hold a pageant — and she was chosen sight unseen to wear the crown.

“I know that God is sending me on this mission,” she said and that is to bring her message to the masses. She is the first African-American to wear the state crown.

Judges based their decision solely on Rachal’s platform “Coming of Age,” which focuses on women and their beauty that comes from being multi-faceted. “We are the core of the family. The role of mother, the role of wife — it is a very powerful role,” she said.

But many women do not harness their power or acknowledge their beauty.

“We’re letting society define who we are,” she said.

During her 30-year teaching career for Bremerton and Central Kitsap school districts, Rachal saw what the pursuit of a perfect image was doing to young women. She saw them battle bulimia and anorexia.

In 2001, Rachal, who is married to Pastor Sam Rachal Jr. of the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, read a book that changed her life.

“Prayer of Jabez for Women” stirred a desire within her to share her message with other women.

The “Prayer of Jabez” in I Chronicles has become Rachal’s affirmation of which the pageant has become a part.

“Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be upon me, and you would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain! So God granted him what he requested,” it states.

Rachal, who teaches workshops for young women, believes the pageant will broaden her territory and reach more women.

More than the Mrs. International title, Rachal hopes to plant a seed encouraging women “to take care of and fall in love with themselves.”

“A women’s beauty is defined by the unconditional love that flows from her heart, the content of her character, the beauty of her soul, the integrity of her life, her nurturing of others and being the woman God has created her to be,” Rachal said.

At 56, Rachal hits the pageant’s upper age limit, but she is unfazed by competing against women who are 30 years her junior.

“I probably feel more secure, more confident and know more who I am today at 56 than I did at 26,” Rachal said.

She realizes she’ll never be Halle Berry, she jokes and is quite content being Cherry, gray hair and all.

“Someone actually asked me who did my hair,” she chuckles. With a gleam in her eye and a manicured hand fluffing her hair she says God is her hairdresser.

Mrs. International contestants are judged on their platform, which gets 50 percent of the score, evening gown and workout wear each get 25 percent.

“I want to represent a real woman,” Rachal said.

“I don’t want to be a glamour shot or a Barbie Doll going across the stage. I want to be genuine and real.” she said.

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