“Ladies and gentlemen, the new Ms. America 2011 is… from Ladera Ranch,California Tracy Broughton!”
…. And with that announcement my life changed in an instant! What a great opportunity it is to be your new Ms. America 2011! I am looking forward to sharing all of my appearances and experiences with you as I travel on this journey representing this wonderful organization that “empowers women across the nation.” Thank you for your support and for believing in me. I will do my best to represent the amazing women of this country!
Tracy Broughton, Ms. America 2011 was born in Atlanta, Georgia, but grew up in Orange County, California. She attended Irvine High School where she discovered her joy for painting, was a Senior Class Vice President and a Scholar Athlete. She lettered in soccer, dance, speech, track-and-field, and played a host of other sports. She was honored with the Most Valuable Player award in soccer, won the City Championship in track-and-field, featured as the Irvine World News Athlete of the Week, Orange County Register Sports Cover Athlete, and was selected to be on the ALL-CIF team. She even holds some of the school records in track-and-field to this day.
After fully recovering from a 1991 car accident in high school, Tracy went on to pursue a professional modeling career. She signed with two of the top modeling agencies, Bobby Ball (BBA) and Elite-Stewart Talent. She modeled in print and runway, appeared on television, and danced for Disney. She graced the covers of Black Passion HairMagazine, Stylist Magazine and was featured in the NFL Catalog. She test modeled for many well known photographers who used her photos later in her career. Tracy was cast in music videos for Jeffrey Osborne, Tina Moore and Black Street. On a dare in 1994, she decided to compete in a fitness competition that was held in Long Beach, California. Sponsored by Power House Gym and Met-RX, she trained for a short period of time and qualified to represent Los Angeles as a finalist in the 5th Annual National Championship Fitness America Pageant.
In December of 1996, Tracy Broughton was involved in a second car accident where she sustained severe injuries that left her hemiplegic, paralyzed on the left side of her body. Through therapy she worked on strengthening her core and the right side of her body. Tracy believes that faith, athleticism, youth and genes helped in her recovery. Even though she was still paralyzed on the left side of her body, Tracy eventually was able to stand on her right side, but was still unable to walk. Using a wheelchair for mobility, she went on to make public appearances, win contests and eventually resumed her entertainment career from her wheelchair.
This began with her contacting photographers whom she worked with in the past who believed in her modeling ability even though now she had a disability. They helped by booking her jobs with photos that they had taken before the second accident, including the cover of Shades of Color Swimsuit Calendar. With these tear sheets she continued to book many other modeling jobs which began the next stage of her modeling career.
First, she was a spokesmodel for Colours by Permobil Wheelchair Company along with other models that became a group known as Team Colours. This group of models helped the company become the frontrunner in innovative marketing for the disabled and advocating the positive aspects of their lifestyle and strong positive image. Tracy was featured in one such innovative marketing campaign. Created to dispel the stereo types of the disabled, these ads highlighted models with disabilities intermingled with those without, causing the viewers to question, “Who’s challenged? …Who’s not?”
A pioneer who paved the way for the disabled, Tracy Broughton next signed on with The Shot Model Management which specialized in representing models with disabilities. The mission of the agency: “Among America’s 50 million disabled, are a number who meet the exact standards of professional modeling. It is our continued mission to represent the most exceptional of them.” Even though she was paralyzed on the left side of her body, it was not uncommon for a photo shoot to consist of her standing for a moment to take a picture and then transfer back into her wheelchair. For example: She did this when she modeled and competed for Swimsuit Illustrated, where she finished 4th runner-up.
From her wheelchair she went on to book print, runway and television jobs. She was featured in Nordstrom catalog, Wells Fargo Bank marketing materials, Clear Channelbillboard, swimsuit calendars, Toys R US commercial and on several TV shows, such asBuffy the Vampire Slayer, American Journal and Extra.
Crowned Ms. Black California USA 2003, she was featured on COX Communications and NBC Life Moments. Additionally, she was honored with the Goodwill Industries Walter Knott Service Award for advancing public awareness and opportunities for people with disabilities.
A successful entrepreneur, Tracy opened two of her own businessess. A florist shop in Santa Monica, California and currently she is an independent associate for a legal insurance business. Here she is a corporate trainer, sought after public speaker, and has won awards such as Top Recruiter and Top Producer for the company.
Tracy is a loving single mother of identical twin sons. She volunteers with many non-profit organizations including; The HerShe Group that supports foster children, Habitat for Humanity, Goodwill Industries, and Phenomenal Women. She supports her community by volunteering with food drives, walks, soup kitchens, shelters, and church outreach programs.
Many were impressed that she quickly and fully recovered from her first car accident in 1991, but it was her recuperation from her second car accident in 1996 that has made her a symbol of persistence and courage. After her accident over 14 years ago, 11 of those years in a wheelchair, Tracy is now walking with the help of a crutch.
