BEBE SHOPP (Hopkins, MN) *Won as Miss Hopkins Miss Minnesota 1948 MISS AMERICA 1948 *Found this on a website about BeBe Shopp after she was crowned Miss America: 
TIME Magazine, September 20, 1948, p. 28:
Americana
•In Atlantic City, Beatrice [Bebe] Shopp, 18 ("Miss Minnesota"), was named "Miss America
of 1948," winning a $5,000 scholarship, a Nash car, and untold
publicity. Her measurements: height, 5 ft. 9 in.; weight, 138 lbs.;
bust, 37 in. Her talent: she played the vibraharp. Said "Bebe": "I am
only a farm girl. I drive a tractor. I clean the chicken coops. I mix
cement."
| BeBe serves with the distinction of being the first Miss America crowned in an evening gown after the pageant was resurrected in 1935. She has served the Miss America program on a local, state, and national level for over fifty years, being an avid supporter with a lifelong commitment to the scholarship program for young women. BeBe has focused on many volunteer and professional interests over the years including raising four daughters, promoting drug abuse prevention, supporting VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America), being active in her local church as a licensed lay minister, occasionally performing on the vibes and piano, and now enjoying her ten grandchildren. What She's Doing Now As a singer with a group called “Share the Music”, Bebe performs in a local dinner theater production. The two-hour show consists of solos, duets and ensemble works. She also stays busy attending all the sporting and musical events of her nine grandchildren. |
DOROTHY BENHAM (Edina, MN) *Won as Miss South St. Paul Miss Minnesota 1976 MISS AMERICA 1977 Watch Dorothy being crowned Miss America 1977 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RLwuN42P9E&feature=related Watch Dorothy's talent winning performance at Miss America 1977 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3hlC1LcBpw&feature=related | Dorothy has
stayed actively involved in the Miss America program since her year of
service. She is a celebrated soprano, whose voice has blessed many
preliminary shows as well as several telecasts with her beautiful grace
and strong music abilities. Dorothy
made her Broadway solo singing debut in 1989 in "Jerome Robbins'
Broadway". Dorothy is a mother of six who has toured with live
orchestras using her beautiful soprano voice to enthrall audiences
everywhere. She has appeared numerous times as a musical guest on the national television broadcast "The Hour of Power." Dorothy
has now released 3 CD recordings, including her most recent entitled,
"from the heart," a collection of her favorite Broadway love songs. You
can check out her personal website at http://www.dorothybenham.com |
GRETCHEN CARLSON (Anoka, MN) *Won as Miss Cottage Grove Miss Minnesota 1988 MISS AMERICA 1989 | Gretchen graduated
with honors from Stanford University in 1990 with a self-designed
degree in Organizational Behavior. She also studied at Oxford
University in England. Her first love was the violin. Gretchen started
playing when she was six years old. Her dream was to one day become a
famous concert artist and perform at Carnegie Hall. Gretchen studied
with Dorothy DeLay at the Julliard School of Music in New York City,
and became the first classical violinist ever to win the title of Miss
America. Gretchen
has an extensive career as a television journalist. She has joined the
Fox News Channel based in New York City as a weekday anchor. Before
achieving this goal, Gretchen criss-crossed the nation building her
career as an Anchor/Reporter in Texas, Ohio, Virginia, and Minnesota. Gretchen's broadcasting awards and honors
include the National American Women in Radio and Television Awards for
her 30-part series on Domestic Violence, and for her "Day Care
Investigation" in 1997. She also received two Emmy Awards. Although
Gretchen did not choose to make music her career, she continues to be a
strong advocate of the arts, especially as it relates to children. She
believes music builds discipline and self-esteem in kids and gives them
the confidence to be successful in whatever career they choose. Gretchen currently resides in New York City with her husband. Gretchen
is proud of her Swedish heritage. She remains a huge fan of the
Minnesota Vikings Football Team and is proud to say she grew up in
Minnesota. What She's Doing Now An
award-winning television anchor and reporter, Gretchen has joined the
Fox News Channel based in New York City as a weekday anchor.
Previously, Gretchen was the co-host of the Saturday Early Show and
news correspondent at CBS News in New York. She
also serves as a National Celebrity Spokesperson for the March of
Dimes. She and her husband, Casey, are the proud parents of two
children, and reside in Manhattan.
Gretchen Carlson is in the news:
http://www.more.com/2021/8626-more-beautiful-at-40-than#2 |