| 
| 
| |
20/08/2018
423 | 
0
By Leada Gore | lgore@al.com | Posted August 20, 2018 at 07:00 AM | Updated August 20, 2018 at 08:55 AM
Miss America Organization/Bruce V. Boyajian
Just weeks before its televised pageant, the Miss America pageant has found itself ensnared in controversy involving its directors and a revolt among state-level leaders and current title holder Cara Mund. Here's what you need to know and how Alabama is connected to the controversy:
How it started
Late in 2017, a series of emails surfaced in which the top leadership of the Miss America Organization discussed winners' sex lives, weight and appearance. Other emails show officials referring to past winners as a vulgar term for female genitalia. Among those discussed in the emails was Mallory Hagan, an Alabama native who won the Miss America title as Miss New York in 2013. The emails led to the resignation of Miss America Organization CEO Sam Haskell, President Josh Randle and Chairwoman Lynn Weidner.
Miss Alabama organization responds
The Miss Alabama Pageant's Board of Directors released a statement after the emails were published.
"For almost 100 years, the Miss Alabama Pageant has furthered the dreams and goals of countless young women. The Miss Alabama Board of Directors, along with the hundreds of volunteers that selflessly serve, take immense pride in this privilege and hold these young women in the highest regard. We are proud of all our state and local titleholders and express to them our support and appreciation. Our commitment is to maintain a positive, respectful community in which young women can thrive and achieve amazing things. We are thankful to be part of an American institution that has provided innumerable scholarships and opportunities to young women across this country and look forward to continuing this grand tradition for many years to come."
AL.com file
Mallory Hagan announces run for Congress
After derogatory emails about her were released, Hagan announced she was running as a Democrat for Alabama's 3rd Congressional District seat. She faced Republican incumbent Mike Rogers in November.
U.S. Marine Corps
Gretchen Carlson takes over
Shortly after the resignations, Gretchen Carlson, Miss America 1989, was tapped to lead Miss America board of directors. Carlson, a former Fox News host, had previously reached a settlement with the news channel over claims she was sexually harassed by ex-network chief Roger Ailes and had become a vocal proponent of the #metoo anti-harassment movement. Several other former Miss Americas were named to the board.
Swimsuits out
Carlson quickly set about making changes for what she dubbed Miss America 2.0. In June, she announced the pageant would end the long-standing swimsuit competition.
"We are no longer a pageant, we are a competition," she said.
The swimsuit competition was replaced with a longer question and answer session between the judges and contestants.
The change led to outcry from pageant traditionalists.
Joe Songer
New Miss Alabama crowned
In June, Birmingham native Callie Walker was crowned Miss Alabama. The pageant included a swimsuit competition but officials said it would be the last one.
"The elimination of the swimsuit competition will not go into effect on the state level until next year's competition. There have been many positive changes throughout the years. It has evolved from a bathing beauty contest to include talent, college scholarships, and the platform for which each young woman advocates. We will always encourage a healthy lifestyle for our young women and continue to support the Miss America Organization," said Nan Teninbaum, president of Miss Alabama.
Joe Songer
Alabama pageant tied to controversy
Hagan later called for the resignation of Teninbaum over her connection to the emails between former Miss America CEO Sam Haskell and MAO board members. Teninbaum was reportedly among those commenting on Hagan's weight and sexual history. The board said it had no plans to dismiss Teninbaum.
State groups call for Carlson's ouster
In late July, representatives from 22 state pageants, including the Miss Alabama board, called for the resignation of Carlson, the Miss America Organization Board of Trustees and CEO Regina Hopper over what they categorized as wholesale changes to the competition and a lack of communication with state groups.
"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 group said in a statement. "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."
Miss America Organization/Bruce V. Boyajian
Miss America Cara Mund speaks out
Cara Mund, the former Miss North Dakota who won the Miss American crown in September 2017, said in an interview with the Press of Atlantic City that the year had been "tough."
"There have been a lot of things I can't control. It's felt I wasn't always heard or utilized or appreciated," she said.
Officials respond
The Miss America board responded to Mund's statements, saying "While this has been a different year than any Miss America could have ever expected, (Miss America Organization) has worked to provide her a platform from which she can build her future. Every Miss America has ups and downs during their year as the experience is challenging and rewarding at the same time. MAO is proud of the work Cara has accomplished this year and how she has represented the scholarship principles of the program."
Miss America Organization/Bruce V. Boyajian
Bombshell letter
Mund later sent a letter to all state titleholders in which she alleged she had been bullied and silenced by the leadership of MAO.
"Our chair and CEO have systematically silenced me, reduced me, marginalized me, and essentially erased me in my role as Miss America in subtle and not-so-subtle ways on a daily basis. After a while, the patterns have clearly emerged, and the sheer accumulation of the disrespect, passive-aggressive behavior, belittlement, and outright exclusion has taken a serious toll," Mund wrote.
"I understand that I am the representative of a brand and a company and employed to do a job," wrote Mund to former Miss America winners. "That does not mean that an employer can treat you however they feel like treating you that day. Employers are legally required to provide a workplace free from harassment and bullying. I have been constantly reminded of the provisions in my employment contract that prohibit me from speaking freely."
You can read the full letter here.
AL.com file
Petition launched
Miss America and former Miss Alabama Heather Whitestone McCallum was among 13 former title putting their names to a petition calling for changes within the Miss America organization.
The title holders said while they first believe it was best if leaders came from "among our own ranks" they now recognize "we chose individuals that have sought to use (Miss America organization) for their own self-centered purposes, not to regain trust and unite us.
"Instead these new leaders have decided to use this opportunity to force changes that we have not sought and that we did not demand," they wrote.
The change.org petition has garnered more than 17,600 signatures.
Carlson responds
Carlson denies Mund's claims.
"I want to be clear that as a proponent of women my entire life, I have never bullied Cara Mund," Carlson told People. "We have supported Cara for her entire year and we will continue to support her. It's just disappointing that she chose to air her grievance publicly and not privately."
Miss Alabama backs Miss America
Miss Alabama Callie Walker posted a message to social media Sunday expressing support for Mund. The Miss Alabama pageant released a similar message using the hashtag #standwithcara
View image on Twitter
Gretchen Carlson
✔
@GretchenCarlson
Please see my statement in full below
9:31 PM - Aug 19, 2018
182
490 people are talking about this
Twitter Ads info and privacy
Carlson: Mund cost us scholarship money
Carlson said Mund's letter led to the loss of $75,000 in scholarship money.
Miss America Organization/Bruce V. Boyajian
What's next?
The 2019 Miss America competition will take place Sept. 9 in Atlantic City.
https://www.al.com/expo/news/erry-2018/08/de10dc3c519990/miss-america-controversy-alaba.html
COMENTÁRIOS - Clique aqui para fazer o seu
