Margaret Gorman

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Gorman submitted this high-school photograph to the committee

This was the official portrait of her as the winner of the pageant.

Margaret Gorman (1905-1995) is best known for being the very first Miss America, from the year 1921.

Gorman was chosen from a photo popularity contest and finalist round as the first "Miss Washington, D.C.," and was invited on that count to join the Second Annual Atlantic City Pageant as an honored guest. This was held on 8 September 1921. There she was invited to join a new event: the "Inter-City Beauty" Contest. She won two titles, "Inter-City Beauty, Amateur," and "The Most Beautiful Bathing Girl in America" after competing in the Bather's Revue. Finally, she won the grand prize, the Golden Mermaid trophy. She was expected to defend her positions the next year, but since someone else was "Miss Washington, D.C.," and her other titles were a bit awkward, they decided to crown her "Miss America." She is the only Miss America to receive her crown at the end of the year.

Gorman continued to compete in later years, and though unsuccessful, was always a favorite of the crowds. A few years later, she married Victor Cahill, and was happily married until he died in 1957. She lived all her life in D.C., but enjoyed traveling. She died in October 1995. ^[1]