FIRST BEAUTY CONTEST -MISS AMERICA 1921 HELD ON SEPTEMBER 7-8,1921,NEWJERSY "GOLDEN MERMAID AWARD"
FIRST BEAUTY CONTEST -MISS AMERICA 1921 HELD ON SEPTEMBER 7-8,1921,NEWJERSY "GOLDEN MERMAID AWARD" Miss America 1921 Contestants[edit] WINNER MARGARET GORMAN Camden - Kathryn Gearon Harrisburg - Emma Pharo New York City - Virginia Lee Newark - Margaret Bates Ocean City - Hazel Harris Philadelphia - Nellie Orr Pittsburgh - Thelma Matthews Washington, D.C. - Margaret Gorman What has become known as the first Miss America pageant was, at its start in 1921, an activity designed to attract tourists to extend their Labor Day holiday weekend and enjoy festivities in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Atlantic City's Inter-City Beauty Contest, as it was initially called, attracted over 1,500 photographic entries from around the country, all vying to win the "Golden Mermaid" award and cash prizes. Six "Inter-City Beauties," arrived in Atlantic City and entered a new event: The "Inter-City Beauty" Contest. It was judg...