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#80: Podcast Tribute to Miss America, Part 3

VanessaWilliamsMissAmerica

As Miss America entered the 70’s and 80’s, talents were soaring, the wardrobes were becoming more extravagant, and significant barriers were being broken!  Through it all, people like Rebecca King, Vanessa Williams and Kaye Lani Rae Rafko, elevated the Miss America brand and pushed the organization to new heights.  Hear about each of these women and many more, with our special guest Gene Hill, in our 3rd episode of paying tribute to the Miss America Organization.

Check out this episode!

Here are a few additional photos from the 70’s and 80’s…  This photo is from the Miss Pennsylvania program book in 1974… LOVE IT!!!

Miss America girls at the pool-leveled

Laurel Lea Schaefer, Miss America 1972 from Ohio…

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Miss Iowa, Cheryl Adrienne Brown, of Bettemdorf, Iowa, first African American girl to reach the finals in the Miss America contest, points on the boardwalk at the Atlantic City, N.J. on Monday, Sept. 8, 1970 as she talked to Miss Maryland, Sharon Ann Cannon, Salisbury, Md., at start of the pageant. New Miss America will be crowned on Saturday. (AP Photo)
Miss Iowa, Cheryl Adrienne Brown, of Bettemdorf, Iowa, first African American girl to reach the finals in the Miss America contest, points on the boardwalk at the Atlantic City, N.J. on Monday, Sept. 8, 1970 as she talked to Miss Maryland, Sharon Ann Cannon, Salisbury, Md., at start of the pageant. New Miss America will be crowned on Saturday. (AP Photo)

This is AMAZING video of Bert Parks announcing the Top 5 during Miss America 1976… SOOOO GOOD!!!  She even speaks to Bert Parks immediately after being crowned!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqbuolibGWQ

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Kylene Barker was Miss America 1979 from Virginia… And is also one of the Prelim Judges this year!!!

 

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15 Sep 1985, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA --- Original caption: Atlantic City, New Jersey: Miss Mississippi, Susan Akin, cries as she is crowned Miss America 1986 by Miss America 1985, Sharlene Wells, at Convention Hall late 9/14. Akin was picked by the computer before the Pageant to win. --- Image by © Bettmann/CORBIS
15 Sep 1985, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA — Original caption: Atlantic City, New Jersey: Miss Mississippi, Susan Akin, cries as she is crowned Miss America 1986 by Miss America 1985, Sharlene Wells, at Convention Hall late 9/14. Akin was picked by the computer before the Pageant to win. — Image by © Bettmann/CORBIS

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The contestants on the beach in Atlantic City during Miss America 1986…

1988 - Kaye Lani Rae Rafko
Miss America 1988 – Kaye Lani Rae Rafko from Michigan

Plus – I LOVE this video of the Evening Wear Competition at Miss America 1988…

THERE’S ONE MORE PODCAST TO COME!!!  Be sure to listen in on Thursday for our final episode in this special series – A Tribute to Miss America!!!

Miss America Predictions!
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