Margaret Gorman

Margaret Gorman (August 18, 1905 – October 1, 1995) was an American model and beauty queen who was the winner of the first Miss America beauty pageant after being crowned Miss District of Columbia in 1921.

Margaret Gorman
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	Miss Washington, D.C. Miss America 1921
Successor	Mary Campbell
Spouse(s)	Victor Cahill (died 1957)

Pageantry

Margaret Gorman wins first prize, Atlantic City.

Gorman was a junior at Western High School in Washington, D.C. when her photo was entered into a popularity contest at the Washington Herald.[1]

She was chosen as Miss 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 Annual Atlantic City pageant held on September 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.[2] She was expected to defend her positions the next year, but someone else had attained the title of "Miss Washington, D.C.," so she was instead crowned as "Miss America." She is the only Miss America to receive her crown at the end of the year.

Margaret Gorman with her pet Greyhound, "Long Goodie", in April 1925

Gorman was the lightest Miss America at 108 pounds until 1949, when Jacque Mercer of Phoenix, Arizona, weighed in at 106 and won the title.[3]

Gorman later said: "I never cared to be Miss America. It wasn't my idea. I am so bored by it all. I really want to forget the whole thing."[4] She still owned the sea green chiffon and sequined dress that she wore in the 1922 competition.[5]

Personal life

Gorman continued to compete in 1922 and was a favorite of the crowds. A few years later, she married Victor Cahill, and was happily married until he died in 1957.[6] She lived all her life in Washington D.C., became somewhat of a socialite and enjoyed traveling.

She died on October 1, 1995, aged 90.[7][8]

References

1. "Margaret Gorman: First Miss America and Washingtonian". Ghosts of DC. February 6, 2013.
2. "Fairest in a Thousand". Spartanburg Herald. September 15, 1921. p. 2.
3. "Miss America is short and is proud of height". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. September 13, 1949. p. 20.
4. Mattiace, Peter (September 2, 1980). "First Miss America Says Pageant was "Boring"". Kentucky New Era. p. 6.
5. Associated Press (October 3, 1995). "1st Miss America Margaret Gorman Cahill Dies". Deseret News. p. 2.
6. "Miss America of 1921 Wed". New York Times. November 16, 1925.
7. Associated Press (October 3, 1995). "1st Miss America Margaret Gorman Cahill Dies". Deseret News. p. 2.
8. "Year 1921: Margaret Gorman: District of Columbia". Archived from the original on May 26, 2006. Retrieved June 18, 2006.

External links

• Margaret Gorman at MissAmerica.org
• "Margaret G. Cahill, 90, Is Dead; Was First Miss America, in 1921" at New York Times
• Margaret Gorman: First Miss America And Washingtonian

Awards and achievements
Preceded by --	Miss America 1921	Succeeded by Mary Campbell
Preceded by --	Miss Washington, D.C. 1921	Succeeded by Evelyn C. Lewis