Miss America 1944

Miss America 1944, the 18th Miss America pageant, was held at the Warner Theater in Atlantic City, New Jersey on September 9, 1944. Venus Ramey, Miss District of Columbia won the title and also received swimsuit and talent preliminary awards.[1]

Miss America 1944
DateSeptember 9, 1944
PresentersBob Russell
VenueWarner Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey
Entrants33
Placements12
WinnerVenus Ramey
District of Columbia

One of the five finalists, Betty Jane Rase, who would become known as B. J. Baker, was a backup singer for many top recording artists, and also was one of the wives of actor Mickey Rooney.

Results
Final results Contestant
Miss America 1944
1st runner-up
2nd runner-up
3rd runner-up
4th runner-up
Top 12

Preliminary awards
Awards Contestant
Lifestyle and Fitness
Talent

Other awards
Awards Contestant
Miss Congeniality

Contestants
Title Name Hometown Age Talent Placement Award Notes
Arkansas Mineola Graham Brinkley
Atlanta Mary Ann Linane
Birmingham Betty Jane Rase Birmingham Vocal Medley, "My Hero" from The Chocolate Soldier & "Lover, Come Back to Me" 4th Runner-up Preliminary Lifestyle & Fitness Award


Preliminary Talent Award

 Later known as B.J. Baker, a back-up singer for many recording artists.
Boston Paulina McKevitt Boston Vocal, "Goodnight, Wherever You Are" 1st Runner-up
California Shirley Ballard Los Angeles Top 12
Chicago Elaine Steinbach Chicago Vocal, "You'll Never Know" 3rd Runner-up
Columbia Gloria Mae Grisso Columbia
Connecticut Barbara Fisher East Hartford
Delaware Jacquelyn Vasseur Wilmington
Detroit Iora June Victor Detroit Vocal, "Goodnight, Wherever You Are" Grandmother of Miss Michigan 2007 & Miss America 2008, Kirsten Haglund
District of Columbia Venus Ramey 19 Vocal in English and Spanish & Dance, "Take It Easy" Winner Preliminary Lifestyle & Fitness Award


Preliminary Talent Award
Florida Virginia Warlen Violin, "Intermezzo" 2nd Runner-up Preliminary Lifestyle & Fitness Award


Preliminary Talent Award
Georgia Trudie Hayward Atlanta
Illinois Betty June King Bloomington Acrobatic Dance, "Stardust" Top 12
Kansas Grace Louise Pittman Wichita
Maryland Audrey Klingenberg Baltimore
Massachusetts Lucille Descoteau Lowell
Miami Vernell Bush Miami Vocal, "It Had to be You" Top 12
Michigan Beverly Bennett Detroit Vocal, "Stormy Weather" Top 12
Minnesota Patricia Cummings Minneapolis Hula Top 12
Mississippi Sarah Topp Tupelo
New Hampshire Jackie Edson Plaistow
New Jersey Janice Hansen Union City
New Orleans Wilhelmina Hoffman New Orleans
New York Bobby MacAdam Brooklyn
New York City Betty Jo Dazey New York City Vocal Medley, "Goodnight, Wherever You Are" & "Swinging on a Star" Top 12
North Carolina Betsy Marie Dalton Winston-Salem
Ohio Madeline Bohanon Cincinnati
Pennsylvania Margie Dorie Pittsburgh Vocal, "Big Boy Blue" Top 12
Philadelphia Itha Duerrhammer Philadelphia Vocal & Dance
South Carolina Virginia Owens Columbia
Tennessee Marian Weller Chattanooga Vocal, "Someday I'll Find You"
Texas Joyce Courrege Orange Comedic Monologue Miss Congeniality
West Virginia Sharon Allyson Scott

References
  1. International News Service (1944-09-11). "Venus Ramey, 1944 Beauty Queen, Planning On Retirement To Farm". Port Arthur News. p. 2.

Secondary sources
  • Saulino Osborne, Angela (1995). "Miss Americas and their Courts". Miss America The Dream Lives On. Taylor Publishing Company. ISBN 0-87833-110-7.
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