A pageant is still a pageant, with or without swimsuit. And a job interview is still a job interview, with or without a suit (men or womens). We are ALL "judged" to a certain degree by some formulary scoring system in order to "win" or land "the dream job, " or any job.
Becoming Miss America 1979 certainly would have been a dream job for me in when I represented Kentucky in 1978 (Don't be confused on The 79' 78' year thing. That is not a typo.). The annual earnings in 1978 for Miss America 1979 coupled with cash scholarships were over $200,000. I came pretty close. Top 10. What a great opportunity the job of Miss America would have been for this proud Irish Catholic 21 year old University of Kentucky student.
The Miss America Pageant in 1978 had a point system that was based 50% on talent. The rest of the proportionate share was broken up between Interview and Evening Gown followed by Swimsuit which covered the lowest number of points. Swimsuit, although a television ratings driver, and said to be tradition maker of the Miss America Program, is not the point earner for the contestant. And, after being crowned, neither Miss state representative or Miss America appears for official appearances in swimsuit again. She is booked as a public speaker/spokesperson and performer.
It was not until in the last 10 years that talent points in the Miss America system were reduced and interview points increased. Swimsuit has always carried the lowest number of points. Lets be real. The primary issue is, that while points have not been emphasized in swimsuit, the body and getting healthy, in shape, be thin, and stay fit has been. Is this stay fit emphasis some what of a myth? Maybe? Probably. Isn't the swimsuit competition really more of a, let's look rockin' hot for TV than a be fit segment? The Miss America "ideal" is a tough one to brand when you open your annual broadcast under the auspices of health and wellness in swimsuit to drive television ratings.
I don't think Miss America needs swimsuit. I do think Miss America should promote health and wellness and stay fit awareness for all women and continue to maintain the sparkle and glam that IS Miss America by keeping the evening gown competition. Can't we have a little tradition somewhere in the pageant? What the hell?
Miss America does set itself aside from many other pageants by and placing a high "value" on education and service through the disbursement of scholarships earned, and recognition for academic success and community service. We can still do that with poise, grace, brains and brawn.
I am a 70's feminist who competed in the Miss America Pageant when a woman who was pro the ratification of ERA might have been looked at as hypocritical for doing so. I went from the burning bra generation into the #MeToo generation. I made a choice to interview for a dream job back in 1978. I fell short that September. I continued to earn a decent income as Miss Kentucky. Monies earned through Miss America have contributed to my academic success and moreover my life successes. In spite of my one piece borrowed, Catalina, I'm grateful for my #MissAmerica experience. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity.
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