LOS ANGELES, Jan. 3, Reuter: Santa Monica, a pacific coast playground for the sun worshippers of Los Angeles, announced today it has taken the beauty out of its annual beauty pageant.
Organizers said entrance will not parade in swimsuits this year, men as well as women can take part, and the word “beauty” is banned.
Instead, entrants to the newly named “Ms. Santa Monica Pageant”, next month will be judged on such accomplishments as community service and leadership and their goals and ambitions, a spokesman for the pageant, Dan Sowders, said.
“Recognizing someone based on physical attributes is no longer appropriate,” he said. “We are trying to do something representative of the young women of the 1980s”.
“An 80yearold grandmother could win the pageant this year”, said another pageant representative, feminist lawyer Gloria Allred.
Article extracted from this publication >> January 16, 1987
