"Miss America, 1968"

"Miss America, 1968"

"Miss America, 1968" is a satirical essay about the superficial elements of the Miss America pageant.

Gloria Kaufman Papers, Indiana University South Bend Archives and Special Collections

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Miss .America, 1968



Atlantic City, in its days of glory, was known as the foremost playground of America. It capitalizes on that image when it hosts the Miss America contest, with its
bathingOsuit event and its Playhoy-atmos1lhere. The 1968
feminist s’s
contest incited a radical demonstration against the packaging of American women. The radical beauties appeared in front of the convention hall singing, "Ain't she sweet? Making profit off her meat••••" Placards proclaimed, "THE
LIVING BRA- - THE DEAD SOLDIER" and "MISS AMEJUCA IS ALIVE
AND ANGERY--IN HARLEM!" and "GIRLS CROWNED-- 130YS KILLED."
One sign conveyed the objection to the underlying conception of the pageant, "NO MOUE BEAUTY STANDARDS--EVEYRYONE IS
BEAUTIFULL. Guerilla theatre continued with a ceremonial
Freedom Trashcan into which eye-shadow, lipsticks, vaginal

deodorants, other cosmetics, PLAYBOY magazines, TRUE CON-

PESSIONS, and high heels wore hurled.
The conclusion of the event was a solemn crowning of
Miss America--a live sheep. "Baaaaa," said the sheep, battering the long false-eyelashes that had won her the coveted crown.
Everyone applauded and pronounced her the perfect model for American girlhood.