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Miss America is far from flawless. She embodies the human experience—capable of growth, experiencing setbacks, and demonstrating resilience like any strong woman. On September 8th, the Miss America Organization marked its 100th anniversary, a century of influencing American culture and society.
Miss America has significantly transformed and challenged traditional beauty standards. Initially launched as a contentious swimsuit competition in Atlantic City, it has evolved into a program that annually offers more than $5 million in scholarships to women throughout the nation. Despite critics like John Oliver, Miss America remains one of the leading scholarship providers for women and girls in the U.S.
Participants in the Miss America competition are accomplished individuals—doctors, lawyers, educators, nurses, veterans, and elected officials. More importantly, those involved in local and state competitions often excel in their respective fields. However, the organization’s legacy of empowering women is intertwined with a complex history filled with both triumphant highs and distressing lows.
Highs and Lows of Miss America’s Legacy
High: The pageant originated as a modern bathing beauty contest in a city that restricted women from showing their knees. When Margaret Gorman was crowned the first “Miss America,” her attire represented a progressive shift for the modern American woman.
Low: From 1941 to 1967, Lenora Slaughter enforced stringent rules, including a discriminatory rule stating that “contestants must be of good health and of the white race,” which perpetuated racist standards for decades.
High: In 1945, the Miss America Pageant introduced scholarships, eventually establishing itself as the nation’s top provider of educational funding for women.
Low: As noted by American Experience, it wasn’t until 1970 that a Black woman, Cheryl Brown of Iowa, won a state title and reached the Atlantic City competition. It took another fifteen years before Vanessa Williams became the first Black Miss America in 1984, a title she was forced to relinquish later that year due to the publication of private photos without her consent.
High: The introduction of a national platform in 1989 encouraged contestants to advocate for community causes during their reign, shifting the image of Miss America from merely a public figure to a mission-driven advocate.
Low: The Miss America organization faced criticism after the #MeToo movement highlighted issues of mistreatment towards its titleholders.
As evident, Miss America’s history is a blend of progressive achievements and regrettable setbacks. Nevertheless, I am immensely grateful for my time competing in the system. As a child, I never imagined myself as a beauty queen. My first memory of the pageant was watching Miss America 2004, Maya Johnson, during an interview with a popular talk show host right after her victory.
At that moment, seeing a Black woman with beautiful brown skin made me feel represented, yet I still couldn’t envision myself in a crown. It took years to overcome that mindset and gather the courage to compete in a Miss America contest during college. What I discovered was that Miss America is fundamentally about competing against your best self.
Although I’ve shared my journey before, with the Miss America program now celebrating its centennial, it’s a fitting time to emphasize the real-world value I gained from the competition. It wasn’t merely about boosting my confidence or overcoming stage fright; it provided me with a platform to express my voice.
Miss America pushed me to think critically about current events and actively seek community-driven solutions. It allowed me to advocate for issues such as female empowerment, financial literacy, and self-esteem. The experience equipped me with the tools needed to follow my passion for philanthropy.
However, I cannot ignore the negative experiences I faced. I was told on numerous occasions that my features didn’t conform to traditional beauty standards. Some might question why I chose to compete despite such feedback. However, anyone aware of the racial dynamics in America understands that no institution is free from bias. The Miss America system exposed me to the complexities of American life—its challenges, opportunities, and the need for empathy.
As a Black woman, my experience with Miss America opened my eyes to societal realities. I find myself in the middle of a national conversation about social justice, often engaging with those on both sides of the debate. While some may view my support for Miss America as contradictory to my advocacy for social justice, I see it as part of the larger American experience—an ongoing journey of growth, setbacks, and progress.
I am optimistic about the strides the Miss America organization has made in recent years. Since I aged out of the system, it has crowned three women of color, revitalized its commitment to talent and service, and embraced body positivity. While there’s still work to be done, these developments are worthy of celebration. I resonate with the sentiment of Vanessa Williams, who stated, “For better or worse, Miss America will always be a part of me. It doesn’t define me, but it will always be a part of my story.”
Miss America has introduced me to the essence of America, helping me bridge gaps in understanding and demonstrating that meaningful change often requires generations.
Happy 100th Birthday, Miss America. Here’s to another century of growth and transformation.