Jewish Group

elleng

(136,072 posts) Sat Sep 9, 2023, 11:09 PM Sep 2023

Just months after the revelations of the Holocaust's devastation,

Bess Myerson was crowned the first (and only) Jewish Miss America #OnThisDay in 1945.

Myerson refused to adopt a suggested less-ethnic pseudonym, and her victory was seen as a symbol of America's rejection of the crimes and prejudices that ravaged Europe as well as a representation of the vitality of the American Jewish community.

Myerson's win did not receive automatic acceptance. When an invitation to speak at a country club was revoked because of her Judaism, Myerson distanced herself from the pageant scene, and instead began lecturing about discrimination and the consequences of prejudice.

9 replies

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Just months after the revelations of the Holocaust's devastation, (Original Post) elleng Sep 2023 OP

I did not know. OAITW r.2.0 Sep 2023 #1

I remember her, she was on TV shows when I was growing up Rhiannon12866 Sep 2023 #2

I remember her too Skittles Sep 2023 #4

Yes, she was always elegant Rhiannon12866 Sep 2023 #5

pretty common back then Skittles Sep 2023 #6

I know, no one could get away with wearing them anymore Rhiannon12866 Sep 2023 #7

I remember her. Did not know that she was Jewish. wnylib Sep 2023 #3

She was the first Commissioner of the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs jg10003 Sep 2023 #8

Right, thanks for remembering! elleng Sep 2023 #9

OAITW r.2.0

(28,392 posts)

1. I did not know.

Reply to elleng (Original post)

Sat Sep 9, 2023, 11:19 PM

Sep 2023

She was in my Mom and Dad's generation. I sorta knew her, but not really....then, not at all.

Rhiannon12866

(222,238 posts)

2. I remember her, she was on TV shows when I was growing up

Reply to elleng (Original post)

Sat Sep 9, 2023, 11:53 PM

Sep 2023

I had no clue about her religion - how awful that she experienced prejudice.

Skittles

(159,374 posts)

4. I remember her too

Reply to Rhiannon12866 (Reply #2)

Sun Sep 10, 2023, 12:06 AM

Sep 2023

she was lovely

Rhiannon12866

(222,238 posts)

5. Yes, she was always elegant

Reply to Skittles (Reply #4)

Sun Sep 10, 2023, 12:09 AM

Sep 2023

Though I can't help remembering her wearing a mink coat - on some show.

Skittles

(159,374 posts)

6. pretty common back then

Reply to Rhiannon12866 (Reply #5)

Sun Sep 10, 2023, 12:34 AM

Sep 2023

I'm glad that went out of style, I think mink coats are hideous.

Rhiannon12866

(222,238 posts)

7. I know, no one could get away with wearing them anymore

Reply to Skittles (Reply #6)

Sun Sep 10, 2023, 12:42 AM

Sep 2023

But on the old TV shows - including Bewitched that I watched recently - every woman wants a mink coat...

wnylib

(24,405 posts)

3. I remember her. Did not know that she was Jewish.

Reply to elleng (Original post)

Sun Sep 10, 2023, 12:00 AM

Sep 2023

jg10003

(1,027 posts)

8. She was the first Commissioner of the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs

Reply to elleng (Original post)

Sun Sep 10, 2023, 01:19 AM

Sep 2023

In 1969 she was appointed by Mayor John V. Lindsay to become the first Commissioner of the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs. She became a pioneer in consumer protection law. She also served on several presidential commissions on violence, mental health, workplace issues, and hunger in the 1960s and 1970s.

elleng

(136,072 posts)

9. Right, thanks for remembering!

Reply to jg10003 (Reply #8)

Sun Sep 10, 2023, 09:52 AM

Sep 2023

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