Bess: Winning Title A Crowning MomentSeries: From "Miss America 1945, Bess Myerson's Own Story," bySusan Dworkin, published by Newmarket Press; Copyright 1987 by Susan Dworkin and Bess Myerson. Second of two parts CITY Edition

A shy young woman from the Bronx, [Bess Myerson] grew up on music lessons, hand-me-down clothes and insecurity about her 5-foot-10 height. Rejected in her one attempt at modeling, Bess gave up the idea. But her mentor and older sister Sylvia entered her in the Miss New York City contest, and insiste...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inNewsday
Main Author By Susan Dworkin
Format Newspaper Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Long Island, N.Y Newsday LLC 13.11.1987
EditionCombined editions
Subjects
Dworkin, Susan
Freeland, Jeni
Myerson, Bess
Slaughter, Lenora
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Summary:A shy young woman from the Bronx, [Bess Myerson] grew up on music lessons, hand-me-down clothes and insecurity about her 5-foot-10 height. Rejected in her one attempt at modeling, Bess gave up the idea. But her mentor and older sister Sylvia entered her in the Miss New York City contest, and insisted she participate. In late July, 1945, Bess won the title of Miss New York City. That fall, she and Sylvia traveled to Atlantic City for the Miss America Pageant. Bess worked at becoming Miss America. Her sister Sylvia took copious notes on all [Lenora Slaughter]'s speeches, and when Sylvia and Bess were alone in their hotel room, they would study the notes as though they were cramming for a math final. The other contestants appeared to Bess to be beautiful beyond beating. Compared to them, she felt like the Chrysler Building. On Saturday night, Sept. 8, 1945, the 15 finalists went through their paces once again. Well after midnight, the results finally came in. Emcee Bob Russell began to announce the winners. "[Arlene Anderson] of Minnesota is the fourth runnerup," he said. (Helen, Bess' younger sister, stood in the back of the hall, praying.) "[Jeni Freeland] of Florida is the third runner-up." (Sylvia sat immobilized). "[Frances Dorn], Miss Birmingham, is the second runner-up." ("My God, she's going to win!" Helen thought.) "Phyllis Mathis of San Diego is the first runner-up." (Sylvia began to cry.) "Bess Myerson is Miss America."