Bess Myerson is a remarkable individual who made history not just as the first Jewish woman to win Miss America, but also as a successful politician, model and television actress. She also worked hard to guarantee that Jews from all around the world found refuge in New York following the Holocaust. She became more than simply a beauty icon, she was a true heroine in the Jewish community. However, Myerson’s activities do not end there. She was a New York government commissioner, served on presidential commissions from the 1960s to the 1980s and ran for the United States Senate. Learn more at newyorka.
Early years of the future Miss America
Bess Myerson was born in 1924 in New York City. She was born into a Jewish family of immigrants from Russia. Her father was a humble house painter, carpenter and handyman.
It should be highlighted that the future Miss America titleholder was raised strictly, with an emphasis on intellect and knowledge rather than physical beauty.
Furthermore, from a young age, the girl was subjected to mockery from friends and classmates. All because, at the age of twelve, she was taller than her peers. Because of her rapid growth, she felt insecure, uncomfortable and awkward.
Myerson became interested in playing the piano at a young age and eventually graduated from the New York High School of Music and Art. She also attended Hunter College, where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in music. In addition, to provide for herself and her family during her studies and the tough years of World War II, she began teaching piano lessons for 50 cents per hour. She additionally worked part-time as a music consultant at a girls’ summer camp in Vermont.
How did Myerson get into the beauty pageant?
The beauty contest in Myerson’s life was rather a chance encounter or pure luck. It should be noted that at the age of 21, the girl was 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) tall. Furthermore, she had ideal parameters, an attractive appearance and luxurious brown hair – all of the necessary model features.
Specifically, Myerson was invited to the Miss New York beauty pageant without her knowledge. All thanks to amateur photographer John C. Pape, who hired her as a model. Myerson learned about this occurrence from a friend, Sylvia, who was close to Pape. The girl felt offended by such an act. She categorically refused to compete in the beauty contest, even considering it humiliating. Still, Sylvia’s friend persuaded Myerson to participate in the Miss New York pageant.
Because of her height, Myerson stood out significantly from the other Miss New York contestants. This zest was very popular among the jury members, and August 15, 1945, was not only the day Japan surrendered in World War II, but also the day Myerson won the contest, gained the title of Miss New York and was entitled to compete in the Miss America pageant.
Myerson didn’t particularly enjoy competing in the beauty pageant. Her main motivation was a $5,000 cash reward for the title of winner. In one of her interviews, she stated that she would use this money to purchase a black grand piano named “Steinway” to improve her musical career. However, she eventually used the funds from the competition to pursue postgraduate studies at Juilliard and Columbia universities.
Challenges Myerson encountered during the beauty contest
As a Jew, Myerson faced numerous challenges at the 1940s beauty contest. She was particularly pressed not to use her real name and instead to come up with a less Jewish pseudonym. Despite the Holocaust in Europe, many people in the United States were hostile to people of Jewish origin. But Myerson was proud of her heritage, stubborn and refused to give in to anti-semitism. After winning the Miss New York pageant, three of the five pageant sponsors refused to let her represent their companies as Miss America because she was Jewish.
Furthermore, as Myerson began to develop as a pianist, performing solo concerts in New York vaudeville, she discovered that the audience was more interested in her naked body than her talent and realization.
There were also issues during the Miss America Tour. In particular, she was surrounded by signs reading “No Jews” practically everywhere. They were put in a variety of locations, including hotels and country clubs. All of this inspired Myerson to become a strong opponent of anti-semitism and racism.
Fight against anti-semitism and racism
Myerson was passionate about music all her life. She never imagined herself competing in a beauty pageant, let alone winning it and taking home the crown. Also, the beauty pageant radically changed her life. She found her true calling in life in fighting antisemitism and racism. She became an activist, social campaigner and politician.
Her career progressed gradually. Initially, she appeared on several discussion talk shows, including “The Big Payoff,” “The Name’s the Same” and “I’ve Got a Secret.” In addition, Myerson appeared frequently on the “Today Show” and even presented a televised broadcast of the Miss America pageant.
Soon, in 1969, Mayor John W. Lindsay took notice of her public and television activities and appointed her the first commissioner of the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs. Myerson was more than simply a beauty, she was smart and successful, and she valued her intellect and knowledge above all else, as her parents had raised her to do. Her brilliance enabled her to achieve enormous success in the field of consumer protection legislation during her tenure at the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs.
But the beauty queen’s career did not end there. She also addressed issues of violence, public mental health, problems faced by people in the workplace and hunger that arose during the 1960s and 1970s. She also directed the 1977 mayoral campaign in New York City, served on presidential commissions from the 1960s to the 1980s and even ran for the United States Senate.
The story of Bess Myerson is not only a story about her beauty and charm, but also her intelligence, knowledge and determination, which enabled her to have a successful career as a politician and public figure. Thousands of residents of New York and other cities in the United States remember her not only as Miss America, but also as a fierce fighter against anti-semitism and racism, and as someone who always cared about the well-being of the city’s residents.
Myerson led a really busy life, filled with both ups and downs, as well as harsh challenges of fate. She was the first Jewish-American woman to earn the title of Miss America, and despite public pressure, she refused to abandon her heritage.
Bess Myerson, a beauty titleholder, renowned politician, public figure, model and television actress, died in 2014 in California, where she spent her final years. The woman passed away at the age of 90. It’s a mystery why her death was never reported in the media.