Hey Jimmie--
For the record that drawing of yours is a powerful piece in its own right. Presumably the women who were chosen to jury the competition were qualified to do so. . . that they saw power in your work that was lost on the President... doesn't make the work itself any less powerful. Different people connect with different things. Regardless of his personal opinion, I think the president's remarks to you were out of line (not to mention less than gracious)! The reaction of the crowd at the opening is a poor guage... you were from out of town, an outsider, who knows what the relationships may have been among the other attendees there?
You should feel good about what a beautiful drawing it is and realize that it's not the medium, or the color, that gives impact to your work.
Congratulations on your win Jimmie!
(it's something to feel good about, not second guess.
)