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. 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. She was expected to defend her positions the next year, but someone else[who?] 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.
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.
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.” She still owned the sea green chiffon and sequined dress that she wore in the 1922 competition.
Sept. 7, 1922
Sept. 7, 1922 – Atlantic City Mayor Edward L. Bader hands the key to the city to the newly crowned Miss America.
Sept. 7, 1922
ept. 7, 1922 – Gorman shares the key to the city with Hudson Maxim, playing “Neptune” at the Atlantic City Beauty Pageant.
Sept. 7, 1922 – Margaret Gorman, the newly crowned Miss America, awaits the arrival of Neptune in her royal robes at the opening of the Atlantic City Beauty Pageant.
Sept. 7, 1922 – Gorman tours the Atlantic City Carnival with Hudson Maxim as Neptune.
1922 – Gorman, far right, poses with Neptune, pageant director Armand T. Nichols, and her successor, 1922 Miss America Mary Campbell.
Sept. 9, 1922 – Gorman, far right, poses in swimwear, with Mary Dague as “Miss Wheeling,” Dorothy Haupt as “Miss Easton,” Helen Lynch as “Miss Fall River,” Ellen E. Sherr as “Miss Allentown,” and Paula E. Spoettle as “Miss Bridgeport.”
Nov. 2, 1922 – Playing opposite Stephen Fegan, Gorman performs in a burlesque film on the burning of Rome by the Washington Producing Company.
1921
1921
Sept. 21, 1921 – Gorman presents the wooden loving-cup to “Miss” Alexandria Sylvan Oppenheimer, winner of the Advertising Club’s “beauty” contest. She is flanked by “Miss Congress Heights” Allan De Ford, “Miss” Georgetown Sidney Selinger and “Miss Four-and-a-Half Street” Paul Heller.
Apr. 14, 1925 – Gorman poses with “Long Goodie.”
1923 – Gorman, far right, stands with other Miss America contestants. Mary Campbell, far left, won the title for the second consecutive year.
