Margaret Gorman | |
|---|---|
 Gorman in 1921 | |
| Born | (1905-08-18)August 18, 1905 Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Died | October 1, 1995(1995-10-01) (aged 90) Bowie, Maryland, U.S. |
| Title | |
| Term | September 8, 1921 – September 7, 1922 |
| Predecessor | -- |
| Successor | Mary Katherine Campbell |
| Spouse | |
Margaret Gorman (August 18, 1905 – October 1, 1995)[1] was an American model and beauty queen who was the winner of the firstMiss America beauty pageant after being crownedMiss District of Columbia in 1921.
Gorman was a junior atWestern High School in Washington, D.C., when her photo was entered into a popularity contest at theWashington Herald.[2]
She was chosen asMiss District of Columbia in 1921 at age 16 on account of her athletic ability, past accomplishments, and outgoing personality. As a result of that victory, she was invited to join the Second AnnualAtlantic City pageant held September 7-8, 1921, as an honored guest. There she was invited to join a new event: the "Inter-City Beauty" Contest. She won the titles "Inter-City Beauty, Amateur" and "The Most Beautiful Bathing Girl in America" after competing in the Bather's Revue. She won the grand prize, the Golden Mermaid trophy.[3] She was crowned as "Miss America." She is the onlyMiss America to receive her crown at the end of the year.
Gorman was the lightest Miss America at 108 pounds until 1949, whenJacque Mercer ofPhoenix, Arizona, weighed in at 106 and won the title.[4]
Gorman later said: "I never cared to beMiss America. It wasn't my idea. I am so bored by it all. I really want to forget the whole thing."[5] She still owned the sea green chiffon and sequined dress that she wore in the 1922 competition.[6]
Gorman continued to compete in 1922. In 1925, she married Victor Cahill;[7] he died in 1957. She lived all her life inWashington, D.C., became a socialite, and enjoyed traveling.
She died on October 1, 1995, aged 90.[6][8]
| Awards and achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by -- | Miss America 1921 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by -- | Miss Washington, D.C. 1921 | Succeeded by Evelyn C. Lewis |
| International | |
|---|---|
| Other | |
