In the pages of Pretty Smart: Lessons from our Miss Americas you will find the insights, wisdome and stories from twenty-two former Miss Americas, who are not just pretty, but pretty smart, about how they pursued their passions all the way to professional and personal success.
Pretty Smart: Lessons from our Miss Americasweaves the stories of twenty-two former Miss Americas, including Lee Meriwether, Phyllis George and Gretchen Carlson (co-host of Fox and Friends), into a tapestry of wisdome and inspiration.
With their thoughtful intelligence and eloquent poise, these women shatter the mythg that the Pageaqnt is "just a beauty contest." Their stories prove that it takes vision, discipline drive and yes, brains, to win the crown.
Rarely is the crown, however, an end in itself. Long before Betty Friedan wrote the Feminine Mystique, the Miss America Organization began promoting higher education for women and providing college scholarships. The Pageant helped these Formers pay their school tuition, champion social causes and jumstart their dreams.
Lee Meriwther, Miss America 1955, launced a successful acting career in film, television and theaters across the country.
Phyllis George, Miss America 1971, became one of the first female pre-game sportscaters on national television, started a museum and a successful food business.
Heather Whitestone, Miss America 1995, became deaf as a toddler and continues to use herplatform to advocate for the deaf.
These former Miss Americas are not only pretty smart, but beautiful from the inside out. As they share their personal struggles and triumphs and the lessons they've learned, their stories illustrate the universal truths about fulfilling a dream and achieving success.
Excerpt
LESSON 1: BEAUTY FROM THE INSIDE OUT
“It’s wonderful to watch a pretty woman with character grow beautiful.” Mignon McLaughlin, author and former editor of Vogue
People say that because these women are beautiful doors open for them. The former Miss Americas interviewed for this book admit to that. But what they will also tell you is that the door closes with a bang if there is no substance behind the beauty.
Shawntel Smith (1996) said, “I’m going to be honest and say that appearance does matter. Being attractive will get you through the door, but it won’t help you keep a seat at the table, get the position, or have the opportunity. What counts is your intellect, your personality and the integrity with which you walk into a room. Your determination and perseverance are what will get you the job. A lot of beautiful women vie for the crown each year. So why not crown them all? There’s only one girl who can win the title of Miss America. It takes more than just a pretty face.”
Once you meet our Miss Americas, you can’t help putting aside any notions about the women who become beauty queens. Though many of them are certainly drop-dead gorgeous, you can walk down the street and see any number of equally attractive women. It’s not just their long legs or shiny hair that makes them beautiful. Their warmth, intelligence, poise and generous natures make them knockouts. The confidence and life-changing experience of succeeding at a high target they set for themselves and being spokeswomen for causes they support changed their inner perceptions of themselves and can change our view of them as well.
Tawny Godin (1976) observed that people who may at first appear ordinary become more beautiful as you get to know them. “The way you carry yourself, the way you walk into a room has little to do with your physical beauty. You could be the mousiest person on the planet in terms of the way you look, but if you believe in yourself and know who you are, people get it.”
As my friend’s mom used to say, “You know, the girl who won Miss America wasn’t that pretty before, but now that she’s won, she’s gotten much prettier.”
From the inside out
Some people who are considered beautiful base much of their identity on their external appearance. You may be drawn to them initially, but if they aren’t genuine, it won’t be long before you are looking elsewhere for companionship. Unless they nurture what is inside, their external beauty will fade as they age. “Being physically beautiful can change many times in your life at any age based on your personality,” says Ericka Dunlap (2004). “I’ve seen beautiful, exotic looking women who are arrogant, rude and pretentious. They would have been a lot lovelier if they had had a better attitude, because attitude determines your beauty.”
Nicole Johnson (1999) will tell you, “Beauty is not make-up and curls and glitz but is found in struggle or challenge, the beauty from within.” She recognizes that beauty can be an asset to open doors as long as it is more than physical. “Science proves that attractiveness is an asset in business. I would agree with that but I think attractiveness is subjective. I rely on attractiveness of the heart more than anything else. Along with my intelligence, my heart and my emotions are my calling cards.”
Donna Axum (1964) agrees. “I think anyone who is attractive, whether or not she is Miss America, has a leg up on less attractive people. It’s just common sense that it will get you through the door, but credentials have to follow. You have to be able to sell yourself, your abilities and your ideas if you are interviewing for a position. It’s like we say in the selection process for Miss America, you’ve got to bring the whole package.”
But many of the Formers discovered that their beauty and celebrity as Miss America could be a handicap in the professional world. It became, as Donna put it, a double-edged sword. “Many women will say that a certain person advanced so much farther because she is beautiful. That’s an excuse. If you’ve got the ability and the professional fortitude, then jump in there and get going. Those are the attributes that people are looking for. Without that you’re just another aging pretty face.”
Our Miss Americas have the ability to change our opinion of them by their authenticity, their intelligence, their genuine interest in others and their ability to enlighten and educate without putting others down. They encompass charm, wit, warmth and wisdom rolled into one lovely package.
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