‘Queen for a Day’ pampers ladies in need

Anjyl Johnson, showing off fresh makeup and nails and awaiting a new hairstyle as well, beamed as she recounted her day.

“I feel special. I feel treasured. And appreciated,” Johnson said. “It made me feel pretty.”

Mission accomplished, as Catholic Charities carried out its ninth Queen for a Day event to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Sanctuary Women’s Development Center in Norman.

Women and youth in need were welcomed to Saint Joseph Catholic Church, where a team from Paul Mitchell The School – Norman greeted them for a day of pampering that included makeovers, lunch, photos and games.

“It’s been great, so beautiful,” Jessica Hyatt, 43, said from a stylist’s chair.

The event debuted in 2015 to mark the sanctuary’s first year and has continued each year since.

Smiles filled the room, highlighting the faces of the ladies who arrived to be pampered, as well as those from Paul Mitchell doing the pampering, who donate their time at no charge.

“It’s wonderful for us to just get out in the community and give back,” said Megan Ward, leader of the school’s “Be Nice Team.” “Times are hard sometimes. People need love and people need help. And that’s what we’re here for. We can’t do everything, but we can sure help them look beautiful and feel beautiful.

“That to me, as a stylist, is something I’ve always loved, helping people feel better about themselves.”

Sheila McPherson, director of the sanctuary, sees the needs of women in distress daily.

Some are dealing with domestic abuse. Others may suffer from substance abuse. Or mental health issues.

Some are homeless. Or just removed from foster care and on their own for the first time. A few are just out of jail.

All need help. And love.

Queen for a Day is a special day not just for those women, but for those who play a part in serving, like McPherson.

“It gives me the ‘why’ to what I do,” McPherson said. “We have a lot of women who come back who we have housed before. A lot of times I see them at their lowest point. And the joy this brings and for them to have a day of happiness, it gives me my why.”

It’s the same for Ward and those on the “Be Nice Team,” who also give to the community in other ways, serving nursing homes and other groups in need.

“I go home and I brag about it to my husband,” Ward said. “I tell him, ‘You’ve got to hear all these stories we’ve heard.’ Sometimes I talk about the sad stories we hear as well.

“It makes us really know that we’re lucky and we’re able to give back.”

Johnson, while currently in a place of need, gives back by providing a room to a homeless friend. McPherson said it’s not uncommon for those who have been helped, to help others.

Johnson considered herself lucky to be there. With laundry to be done and a broken dryer at home, her friend invited her to use one at the sanctuary, where laundry and showers are key services.

Once there, she discovered a bonus in the pampering, and more.

“I cried during the prayer, because the (priest) gave a prayer that just touched my heart,” Johnson said. “I feel like I found a church home on a day where I just came to dry my clothes. I will be here on Sunday.

“I’m not saying I’ll be a Catholic, but I just don’t know.”

John Helsley is the editor of the Sooner Catholic. 


Photos Jeff McSweeney/Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City.