Miss America

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Miss America is an annual competition that is open to women from the United States between the ages of 17 and 25. The competition is a scholarship pageant, and the winner is awarded the title of "Miss America" for one year. The event is organized by the Miss America Organization, a non-profit organization based in the United States.

History

The Miss America pageant was first held in Atlantic City, New Jersey in 1921. It was originally conceived as a way to extend the summer tourist season in Atlantic City. The first winner was Margaret Gorman, who was crowned "Miss America" in 1921. Over the years, the pageant has evolved to include various segments such as talent, evening wear, and interviews.

Competition Segments

The Miss America competition consists of several segments:

• Talent: Contestants perform a talent of their choice, such as singing, dancing, or playing a musical instrument.
• Evening Wear: Contestants wear evening gowns and are judged on their poise and grace.
• Interview: Contestants participate in a private interview with the judges and answer questions on stage.
• Social Impact Initiative: Contestants present a platform or cause they are passionate about and discuss how they plan to advocate for it during their reign.

Titleholders

The title of Miss America is held for one year. During this time, the titleholder travels across the country to promote her social impact initiative and represent the Miss America Organization. Notable past winners include:

• Vanessa Williams (1984) - The first African American woman to win the title.
• Gretchen Carlson (1989) - Later became a television commentator and chairwoman of the Miss America Organization.

Controversies

The Miss America pageant has faced various controversies over the years, including issues related to race, gender, and the objectification of women. In recent years, the organization has made efforts to modernize the competition by eliminating the swimsuit segment and focusing more on the contestants' achievements and social impact initiatives.

Related Competitions

• Miss USA
• Miss Universe
• Miss Teen USA

See Also

• Miss America Organization
• Miss USA
• Miss Universe
• Miss Teen USA
• Beauty pageant