'Miss America': Here's a look back at some of the best moments from the beauty pageant over the years
Miss America 2020 is all set to crown another winner on the occasion of its 99th anniversary and people are already counting down days until the pageant airs. The Miss America 2020 Competition will be held on December 19, 2019, at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut instead of Atlantic City and will be aired on NBC at 8 pm instead of ABC.
The pageant is open to every woman who falls within the age group of 17 and 25. The pageant has been going on since 1921 and is used as a platform to provide scholarships to women while encouraging women empowerment. On the occasion of the 99th anniversary of the pageant, here's a look back at some of the most memorable moments and firsts from the pageant so far.
1. 1945
Bess Myerson became the first Jewish-American to be crowned Miss America
For a long time, Miss America competition was restrictive in choosing who got a chance to take part in the competition. Bess Myerson, who was a Jewish American, made history by winning the competition in 1945. By winning the title of Miss America, she became the first Jewish to take home the crown. However, she faced a lot of backlash after earning her title which led her to drop out of many duties that she was supposed to perform. Despite this, she went on to continue her reign.
2. 1970
Cheryl Browne became the first African- American to take part in the Miss America pageant
For a long time, only white people were allowed to take part in Miss America competitions. It wasn't until 1950 that this rule was abolished. Despite this, the pageant never got to see an African-American representative on the pageant. It wasn't until 1970, when Cheryl Browne contested the pageant got to see its first African-American contestant.
3. 1984
Vanessa Williams was the first African-America to be crowned Miss America
In 1984, Vanessa Williams became the first African-American to walk the ramp with the Miss America crown. Unfortunately, her reign was cut short after Penthouse magazine threatened to publish her nude photos. Williams was forced to resign from her position but received a public apology from the Miss America organization years after the incident took place.
4. 1986
Miss America got rid of the bust, waist, and hip measurements being featured
Susan Akin was crowned as the winner in 1986. This was also the time when the bust, waist, and hip measurements of the contestants were featured on the show. Miss America was striding to be a competition that was all about empowerment and this was their first step in achieving this goal.
5. 1995
Heather Whitestone became the first deaf Miss America
Heather Whitestone lost her hearing when she was 18 years old due to an ear infection but that did not stop her from aiming high. Whitestone found it difficult to keep up with her classmates and requested her parents to send her to a special school only to come back after two years to be on the same level as her classmates. In 1995 she won Miss America.
6. 1999
Nicole Johnson became the first Miss America to publicize an insulin pump
Nicole Johnson is a public health professional and activist who was crowned as Miss America in 1999. Johnson became the first Miss America who openly spoke about being a diabetic and in doing so publicized the use of an insulin pump. Years after her win also Johnson takes her platform to raise awareness about diabetes.
7. 2001
Angela Perez Baraquio became the first Asian-America to win the crown
Angela Perez Baraquio is a teacher by profession. In 2001 she made history as she became the first Asian-American to take home the crown. She was also the first Filipino American, and first teacher ever to win the pageant. Since then, Baraquio has used her platform to speak up concerning various issues. She met twice with former president Bush to discuss issues concerning education. She actively supported an amendment to his H.R.1 Education Bill written by Congressmen Wamp and Etheridge, urging the President and Congress to support an increase in funding for character education initiatives from $8 million to $50 million per year.
8. 2011
Claire Buffie was the first Miss American contestant to advocate gay rights
Claire Buffie is a photographer by profession and was the first Miss America contestant who actively supported gay rights movements at the beauty pageant. Buffie made it to top 12 of the competition in 2011 and even though she didn't win she still uses her platform and voice to talk about several issues.
9. 2014
Nina Davuluri became the first Indian-American to win the crown
Nina Davuluri became the first Indian-American in 2014 to take home the crown. She had won after performing a Bollywood dance as her talent portion. Davuluri has been open about creating a change in terms of how beauty was seen in America while adding that the color of the skin did not define beauty. She now uses her voice and platform to champion for diversity, women's empowerment, STEM education, and healthy living.
10. 2018
Miss America gets rid of the swimsuit round
In 2018 the pageant decided to adopt a new format that would focus more on women empowerment. The change was brought by Gretchen Carlson who became the new chairman for the pageant. She thought it was time to revolutionalize the pageant. Under this new format, the participants were not going to be judged on the basis of their looks but in terms of their talent, passion, and ambition.