In 1971, Cheryl Adrienne Browne Hollingsworth was the first African at the Miss America Pageant. This brave queen won Miss Iowa 1970. Before then, she was already a pageant queen and a great dancer.

Revisiting History

Ms Browne is one brave woman because racism was very obvious in the 60s and 70s. Yet she pressed on. MLK was murdered two years before. MX was fighting for equality. Africans were being lynched, persecuted and jailed at the flimsiest excuse. Yet Adrienne pressed on.

Suspect Obstacles

Again, how did Cheryl A. Browne survive the snide remarks? The hisses? The secret missiles? The secret protests? Even , how did someone born in New York win the beauty pageant of Iowa? What of the reactions of her fellow contestants when she turned up at the nationals? Of course, tight security was a given, or else…

Yet, wearing the sweetest, brightest smiles ever, Cheryl Adrienne Browne Hollingsworth strut that stage. Maybe she remembered little Ruby Nell Bridges during the pageant. Maybe. But we know she was brave. Because of her, African women are stronger and bolder.

Time Travel

No matter what, you want to transport yourself to that hall that day in 1970. You are rooting for the beautiful African Queen. She said the country was surprised that a black woman represented Iowa. Do you think they were surprised by this or shocked to see a black woman at all? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.

History Making

One other point to give kudos to the organizers of Miss America Iowa. Taking a huge historical step in a direction many avoided, is unforgettable. That state still has one of the highest number of whites in America. Yet the citizens and organizers in American and world history, have the first African queen of an American Beauty Pageant.

Finally, the parents of that queen, the family she was born into is special, don’t you think? Policeman dad, clinic manager mum and three brothers as a solid support team. Her family upbringing gave her the strength, boldness, confidence to thread a path others were cowered from. Thank you Mr. and Mrs Carl and Mercedes Browne for your beautiful gift.

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