| Miss America 1926 | |
|---|---|
| Date | September 10, 1926 |
| Presenters | King Neptune (De Wolfe Hopper) |
| Venue | Million Dollar Pier Ballroom, Atlantic City, New Jersey |
| Entrants | 73 |
| Placements | 15 |
| Winner | Norma Smallwood  Tulsa |
Miss America 1926, the sixth Miss America pageant, was held at the Million Dollar Pier in Atlantic City, New Jersey on Friday, September 10, 1926. [1] [2] [3] In selecting the new Miss America, it was the opinion of the judges that not only did the winner, Norma Smallwood, Miss Tulsa, have an excellent figure, but also possessed a smile like that of the Mona Lisa. [4]
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Smallwood was the first Miss America to also win the award for "the most beautiful girl in evening gown" at the highly-promoted National Beauty Tournament held during pageant week of the twenties. She proved to be an enormously popular selection. [5]
Upon victory, Smallwood, who was an art major at Oklahoma College for Women [6] [7] [8] in her sophomore year, stated she "might leave school for a year" and looked at her tenure as Miss America from a financial standpoint. She became the poster girl for Meadows Washing Machines and Westinghouse Electric, in addition to many others. It was said she made approximately $100,000 during her year. [9]
One of the finalists, Rosebud Blondell, became the successful Hollywood actress Joan Blondell.
