Miss America 1923, the third

Miss America Miss America is an annual competition that is open to women from the United States between the ages of 17 and 25. Originating in 1921 as a "bathing beauty revue", the contest is now judged on competitors' talent performances and interviews. As ...

pageant, was held at the

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Atlantic City, New Jersey Atlantic City, often known by its initials A.C., is a coastal resort city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States. The city is known for its casinos, boardwalk, and beaches. In 2020, the city had a population of 38,497.

on Friday, September 7, 1923. The incumbent, 17-year-old

Mary Katherine Campbell Mary Katherine Campbell (December 18, 1905 – June 7, 1990) was the only person to win the Miss America pageant twice and the second woman in history to win the title. Early life and education Campbell's Miss America biography stated she i ...

, retained her title due primarily to her victory in the bathing suit competition exhibiting "an almost perfect figure." Campbell is the only Miss America to win the title twice. She stated that she was very surprised to have won and was rooting for one of the other girls to win. Joseph Cummings Chase, a judge at the pageant said, "Miss Campbell is possessed of great vivacity and an inherent shyness that constitute a wonderful combination. She is typically American and altogether an ideal type."

Overview

Organization of pageant

The pageant consisted of four phases of competition: evening dress (called King Neptune's Court); roller chair parade, bathing girl revue, and the final. There was no talent competition at this pageant (this would not become part of the Miss America competition until 1935).

Judges

The panel of judges for the national pageant included film director,

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; painter,

Joseph Cummings Chase Joseph Cummings Chase (May 5, 1878 – January 15, 1965) was an American artist who made portraits during World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. He also painted leading figures from non-military society. The National Portrait Gallery at t ...

; glamour artist, J. Knowles Hare; illustrator,

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; and painter and illustrator,

Norman Rockwell Norman Percevel Rockwell (February 3, 1894 – November 8, 1978) was an American painter and illustrator. His works have a broad popular appeal in the United States for their reflection of Culture of the United States, the country's culture. Roc ...

Aftermath

Soon after the conclusion of the pageant, numerous women clubs and church groups protested against any further beauty contests and, " rgedthat they be prohibited by law," and, " enounced themas vulgar, undignified 'and demoralizing to young womanhood." One woman was quoted saying, " 'The beauty of our girls is too glorious, too sacred a thing to be put on exhibition like the freaks in a circus side show, to be commercialized and made the basis for all sorts of mercenary schemes.' " Another protest arose when Ethelda Kenvin, Miss Brooklyn, was named the 1st runner-up at the conclusion of the contest despite being married since 1921 to professional baseball player Eppie Barnes. Some of her fellow contestants insisted that her placement and awards be revoked due to her marital status and violations of eligibility rules. The judges' panel were made aware of this but ultimately decided to allow Kenvin to keep her prizes. Additionally, Helmar Liederman of New York filed suit against the contest directors, Armand T. Nichols and Harry L. Godshall, Sr., for $150,000 due to their refusal to allow her to enter the national competition as "Miss Alaska" because she was a married woman, despite being authorized to compete by a newspaper in

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Results

Placements

Awards

Evening Dress Award

Award also referred to as "King Neptune's Court."

Roller Chair Parade

Contestants

References

Secondary sources

External links

Miss America official website
{{Miss America

1923 Events January–February * January 9 – Lithuania begins the Klaipėda Revolt to annex the Klaipėda Region (Memel Territory). * January 11 – Despite strong British protests, troops from France and Belgium occupy the Ruhr area, t ...

1923 in the United States 1923 in New Jersey September 1923 events Events in Atlantic City, New Jersey