‘Miss America’ A Classy Lady, Say Townsfolk (Press, 23 July 1984)
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Summary: ‘Miss America’ A Classy Lady, Say Townsfolk (Press, 23 July 1984)
Vanessa Williams, the first black woman crowned "Miss America" in 1983, has faced controversy and fallout due to her past nude photographs set to be published in the September 1984 edition of "Penthouse" magazine. In response to the impending release of the images, officials from the Miss America pageant requested that Williams, aged 21, resign from her title. This decision elicited a sympathetic reaction from the residents of her hometown, Millwood, New York, a community of approximately 2,000 people who initially celebrated her achievement. Local residents expressed their support for Williams, with many citing her character and dignity. Helen Dorman, a former employer of Williams, proclaimed that no actions could diminish her status as a lady. Al Mazza, a Millwood resident, shared his dismay at the situation, witnessing graffiti derogatorily depicting Williams in a local car park, which he attempted to obscure. Dana Giordano also voiced disapproval, asserting that "Penthouse" had no right to tarnish Williams' reputation. Lorraine Dickinson, whose children attended school with Williams, emphasized her intelligence and dignity, further reinforcing the community's pride in her accomplishments. As the news broke, Williams' mother faced a barrage of media inquiries at their home, while friends and supporters expressed their disappointment regarding the pageant's decision. Mrs Williams articulated her feelings, stating that her daughter has consistently been a good role model and lamenting the decision made by pageant officials. She echoed the sentiment that the organisation acted in its "own best interests." The Miss America organisation, which has been running for 63 years, quickly convened to address the issue following "Penthouse's" announcement of the publication of the photographs, which were taken prior to her pageant involvement. The pageant director, Albert Marks, described the situation as “sensationalism of the worst kind.” Williams was given a deadline to decide on relinquishing her title, which offered a cash scholarship of $525,000 and various appearance opportunities valued at $100,000. In a counterpoint to the pageant's actions, Bob Guccione, the publisher of "Penthouse," defended the decision to publish the photographs and claimed that the pageant was outmoded, arguing that contestants were not expected to be "vestal virgins." The situation has sparked widespread debate about the values represented in beauty pageants and the ongoing challenges faced by women in the public eye, particularly concerning issues of personal agency and the scrutiny surrounding their past choices.
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