Feroza Mehta, a Parsi journalist, community volunteer, and autism advocate, will represent Minnesota at the Mrs. International 2026 pageant this July after being crowned Mrs. Minnesota International 2026.
The national competition, taking place July 23–24 in Skokie, Illinois, brings together married women from across the United States for a program that emphasizes interview, fitness, eveningwear, personal achievement, and service. For Mehta, the opportunity is not simply about fulfilling a longtime dream of competing onstage. It is also a chance to bring greater attention to an issue close to her heart: late autism diagnosis in women.
Mehta’s platform, Never Too Late, grew from her own experience. Diagnosed with autism at age 37, she has spoken openly about how women and girls are often overlooked because autism can present differently than it does in boys. Through talks, community events, and her pageant work, she is encouraging women, families, educators, and medical professionals to consider autism as a possibility when long-standing challenges have gone unexplained.
Her message is grounded in the belief that a diagnosis can be clarifying and empowering. By sharing her own story, Mehta hopes to help other women feel recognized, supported, and less alone.
Born to Indian immigrant parents and raised in Calgary, Canada, Mehta built her career in journalism before moving to the United States. She earned a degree in journalism from Carleton University in Ottawa and later completed graduate studies in international journalism in London. Her career has included work with Canadian broadcasters Citytv and CTV, and she now serves as editor of Edina Magazine in Minnesota.
A mother of two, Mehta credits her family with encouraging her to step into the pageant world. Her daughter, Ava, had previously competed in pageants, and Mehta’s own journey began after years of supporting her from the sidelines. With determination, coaching, and the support of her family, Mehta earned the Mrs. Minnesota International title and will now carry her state’s banner to the national stage.
As a Parsi woman representing Minnesota, Mehta also hopes to offer greater visibility to the Zoroastrian community. Her journey reflects values familiar to Parsis everywhere: education, service, perseverance, and using one’s abilities to make a meaningful contribution to others.
When she takes the stage at Mrs. International this July, Feroza Mehta will do so as a journalist, advocate, mother, and proud member of the Parsi community—demonstrating that it is never too late to pursue a dream, find one’s voice, and turn personal experience into purpose.