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Cheryl Browne

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Beauty Contestant

The Resume

    (1950- )
    Born in Jamaica, Queens, New York
    Birth name is Cheryl Adrienne Browne
    Miss Iowa 1970
    First African-American contestant in Miss America pageant history

Why she might be annoying:

    She was crowned Miss Iowa despite being a native New Yorker.
    She even stated as much, saying: ‘I’m glad I’m Miss Iowa instead of Miss New York.’
    For all the attention that her representing in Miss America 1971 attracted, she never even got close to being a finalist (Phyllis George ultimately won).

Why she might not be annoying:

    She studied dance for sixteen years prior to the Miss America pageant.
    Her entry into Miss America 1971 led to the abolition of the pageant's rule number seven (which read: ‘contestants must be of good health and of the white race’).
    The racist backlash to her inclusion resulted in security personnel being present during pageant rehearsals.
    She participated in a three-week USO tour entertaining troops in Saigon with five other Miss America contestants (1971).
    She admitted to not even feeling that she was beautiful during one pageant interview.
    She said: ‘Iowans were very accepting of me … I don't feel I personally changed the pageant, but I feel that my presence expanded people's minds and their acceptance.’

Credit: BoyWithTheGreenHair


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