There is something to be said about a person who can face adversity with dignity and class. I can think of no one who better exemplifies this character than Miss America 1984, Vanessa Williams.  She has been through so much both publicly and privately yet somehow remains untouched by life’s trials.

First Black Miss America

In many ways, Vanessa’s story is very common.  Born to teachers in Millwood, New York, she and her siblings lived a quiet life in the suburbs. As she grew, Ms. Williams developed a love of music and the stage.  While pursuing a Theater major at Syracuse, she won the title of Miss New York 1984 and went on to become the first African American crowned as Miss America.  Vanessa Williams was the first Miss America to receive hate mail and death threats. She persevered until during her 10th month nude surfaced.  Back in 1982, while working as an assistant to a NYC photographer. She was pressured by MAO to resign when sponsors threatened to pull funding.

Many would say a story of being uncrowned and twice divorced would not be the perfect picture of success.  However, I do. Vanessa made the conscience decision to not only take responsibility for her actions, but also not to allow her past to determine her future.  Too often people get the impression that Miss America Girls are the ones that are the Daddy’s Girls, Homecoming Queens, and All Around Goody Two Shoes. I beg to differ. What will keep Miss America competitive, fresh, and modern  is realizing that anyone at any point can choose a different path for her life. We all fall short of glory, but the trick is to use whatever small light we have to be an example for others that have not made all the “right” chooses.

Vanessa Williams after quite a stumble, went on to become the most successful Miss America to date.  She has enjoyed a success in music, movies, and tv. My advice to person, pageant girl or not, would be this: No matter what choices you have made in the past, you still have a chance right now to be who ever you want to be. So, start now.

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