Miss Alabama pageant joins call for resignation of Miss America board, chair Gretchen Carlson

Updated Jul 7, 9:26 AM; Posted Jul 7, 9:26 AM

Nan Teninbaum with newly crowned Miss Alabama 2018, Callie Walker. (Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com). (Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com)

By Leada Gore lgore@al.com

Representatives from 22 state pageants, including the Miss Alabama competition, are calling for the resignation of the Miss America Organization Board of Trustees, chairwoman Gretchen Carlson and CEO Regina Hopper.

Nan Teninbaum, president of the Miss Alabama Organization, was among those signing a letter to the Miss America board alleging wholesale changes to competition and a lack of communication with the state groups. The complaints come after Carlson, a former Miss America and new Miss America Board of Trustees chair, announced the launch of "Miss America 2.0," which included eliminating the swimsuit competition.

The letter cites the "failed leadership of the entire MAO Board of Trustees led by Ms. Gretchen Carlson as its Chair and Ms. Regina Hopper as its President and CEO."

"The recent ouster of two duly elected Trustees, followed by the resignations of two elected Miss Americas from the nine-member Board, have underscored our grave concerns regarding the direction in which MAO is headed, its financial viability, and the expected exercise of all duties attendant to each Trustee as required by law," the statement said.

"We were promised transparency, competence, and adherence to best practices and good governance. The current Trustees and identified staff member have both individually and collectively failed to deliver on those promises and commitments. In our opinion their leadership has demonstrated that 'Miss America 2.0' is simply a new title for the same old tactics of obfuscation and fear-based governance."

The signees said the letter represented a vote of "no confidence" in the board and called for their resignations.

You can read the entire letter here.

The Jackson Sun reported state boards were notified of the change with the swimsuit competition two days before Carlson made the announcement on national television. Some states had already crowned their winners, while other pageants were left scrambling as to whether or not to include swimsuits in their local events.

The Miss Alabama pageant, held in June, included a swimsuit competition but Teninbaum said it would not be part of next year's event.

Hopper acknowledged the letter in a telephone interview Friday night with the Press of Atlantic City.

"On behalf of the Miss America Organization, in any transition, there are always those who disagree with or find it hard to accept change. We welcome those who want to move forward and be a part of a revitalized program dedicated to providing scholarships and opportunities to all young women," she said.

The 2019 Miss America competition will take place Sept. 9 in Atlantic City.

https://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2018/07/miss_alabama_pageant_joins_cal.html