The Miss America competition is open to women  between the ages of 17 and 25

Originating in 1921 as a “bathing beauty revue”, the contest is now judged on competitors’ talent performances and interviews. (As of 2018, there is no longer a swimsuit portion to the contest, or consideration of physical appearance).

The 1949 Miss America was married and divorced during her reign. All contestants thereafter had to certify they had never been married or pregnant.

Starting in 1950, the Miss America title was “post-dated”— thus the September1950 pageant winner became Miss America 1951 (there was no Miss America 1950).