The Miss America pageant has been an institution since it first beganin 1921.
It seems everyone from religious organizations to feminist groups has a bone to pick with the pageant.
Fourteen years after that, in 1984,Vanessa Williamsbecame the first black Miss America.
Early anti-Semitism
Bess Myerson, the daughter of Russian-Jewish immigrants, became the firstJewish Miss Americain 1945.
Most of the competition is conventionally attractive women modeling various outfits.
About 400 women showed up and threw make-up and household cleaning products into a “freedom trash can.”
They also put up a banner in the contest hall that said “Women’s Liberation.”
But 50 years later, the pageantstill draws millions of viewerseach year.
But in reality, the amount they distribute is much lower.
Vanessa Williams, the first black Miss America, discovered thatPenthousemagazine would bepublishing nude photosof her against her will.
Suzette Charles, Miss New Jersey, took over as Miss America for the rest of the term.
For years afterward, Williams' career as an actress and singer suffered.
Sam Haskell III is the Chief Executive Officer, and Josh Randle is the Chief Operating Officer.
