Norma Smallwood facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Norma Smallwood
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Smallwood in 1927
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| Born |
Norma Des Cygne Smallwood
May 12, 1909 |
| Died | May 8, 1966 (aged 56) |
| Education | Oklahoma College for Women |
| Title | Miss Tulsa 1926 Miss America 1926 |
| Predecessor | Fay Lanphier |
| Successor | Lois Delander |
| Spouse(s) |
George H. Bruce
(m. 1936) |
| Children | 1 |
Norma Des Cygne Smallwood (born May 12, 1909 – died May 8, 1966) was a famous American beauty queen. She won the title of Miss America 1926. Her story is interesting because she was different from the popular styles of her time.
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Norma Smallwood: Miss America 1926
Norma Smallwood was born in Bristow, Oklahoma. She was a bright student and finished high school when she was just 16 years old. Before becoming Miss America, she won the local title of Miss Tulsa.
Her Journey to Miss America
When Norma competed for Miss America, she was a student at the Oklahoma College for Women. She enjoyed many activities. Her hobbies included swimming, dancing, and riding horses. She was even the captain of her college hockey team!
During the Miss America contest, Norma did very well. She won first place in both the swimsuit and evening gown parts. For the evening gown competition, she wore a beautiful pale blue velvet dress. The next night, she was crowned Miss America 1926.
A Different Kind of Beauty Queen
Norma Smallwood was special in many ways. She was the first person to claim Native American heritage (specifically Cherokee) to win the Miss America crown.
Her look was also different from the popular styles of the 1920s. Many young women at that time had short, "bobbed" hair, a style called "flapper." But Norma wore her long, brown hair in two braided buns. Her body shape was also different from the very thin "flapper" look. People in her hometown newspaper, the Tulsa World, saw her win as a victory against the flapper style.
During her year as Miss America, Norma became very famous. She appeared in advertisements for many companies, like Meadows Washing Machines and Westinghouse Electric. It is said she earned about $100,000 during that year, which was a lot of money back then!
Life After the Crown
After her year as Miss America, Norma had big plans. She first thought about going back to college. However, she received an exciting offer to tour the United States. She performed on the Orpheum Circuit, earning $1,500 a week.
In 1928, Norma married an oilman named Thomas Gilcrease. They had a daughter named Des Cygne L'Amour Gilcrease in 1929. Their marriage ended in 1934. Later, in 1936, Norma married George H. Bruce. He was the president of a company called Aladdin Petroleum Corporation.
Norma Smallwood passed away on May 8, 1966, in Wichita, Kansas. She was 56 years old.
