Sandra Dubose-Gibson, Mrs. Black North Carolina 2011, shared her experience living with alopecia universalis and emphasized the importance of inner beauty Feb. 16 in Whitley Auditorium as part of Elon University’s celebration of Black History Month.
Dubose-Gibson, a singer, songwriter, motivational speaker and mother, spoke about her struggles with the autoimmune disease, which resulted in complete hair loss. She said she became conscious of the disease after encountering a minor bald spot, something she was never aware of until it got worse at age 25.
The initial realization of the disease was a struggle, she said.
[quote]The very thing that had me crying in the bathroom every morning is the same thing that gave me my platform.[/quote]
“It is a tough thing to go to the doctor and find there is no cure,” she said.
Dubose-Gibson said her initial awareness of autoimmune diseases came after her father was diagnosed with lupus, a disease that results in inflammation and tissue damage as the immune system attacks the body’s cells and tissue. He passed away due to the disease.
Although she described being self-conscious in public as a result of the hair loss, Dubose-Gibson said she learned to accept living with disease. She introduced new rituals into her daily life, such as painting on eyebrows or taking different medicines with harsh side effects. Embracing her new, hairless self was a strong choice that changed her life for the better, Dubose-Gibson said.
“It was a decision,” she said. “If I’m going to do it, then I’m just going to do it. I’ve got to be happy.”
After overcoming her own struggles with self-image, Dubose-Gibson said she wanted to use her confidence as a platform to help other women build self-esteem. She founded an alopecia support group and produced a documentary of her journey to self-acceptance featuring her closest friends, a group she refers to as the "link sister circle." Dubose-Gibson’s documentary, titled Project Liberation, also has an original soundtrack that she wrote and recorded.
Dubose-Gibson is the first bald beauty queen of North Carolina. She attributes her success in the 2011 competition to her ability to gain self-confidence despite her disease, and said her bolstered self-esteem has led her to embrace her passions and make bolder choices in life. Whether it was becoming an actress, radio host, motivational speaker or beauty queen, learning the universal lesson of acceptance enabled Dubose-Gibson to lead a busy and exciting life, she said.
“The very thing that had me crying in the bathroom every morning is the same thing that gave me my platform,” she said.
Dubose-Gibson recited her favorite poem called “Phenomenal Woman” by Maya Angelou, a black poet and alumna of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. Elon University’s own chapter of the sorority sponsored the event. Sophomore Raven Bennett, president of the chapter, introduced Dubose-Gibson at the beginning of the event.
Dubose-Gibson concluded with an original song titled “I’m Beautiful,” which describes overcoming her insecurities about her physical appearance.
The bald beauty queen told the audience members that it is important to share their experiences.
“As you learn, you teach,” Dubose-Gibson said.
She said she hopes her two children see the importance of a positive self-image.
“It’s going to mean so much to my children to see their mother standing up next to all these tall women," she said. "But I can teach my children that I was a queen before the sash and crown"