"Inter-City Beauty" contest in which the judging was largely based on their general appeal in appearance, personality, conversations with the judges, and interactions with the crowds.
In the ensuing years it would grow and reflect some of the most powerfully held attitudes towards what it meant to be an ideal American woman.
The pageant was a product of its times. In the decades just prior to its creation, there was a marked transformation around women's roles in society. The years from 1900 to 1920 were rich with expanding social, political and cultural activity for women
...the modern woman was vigorous. She exercised and was encouraged to eat right. This was an unprecedented break from the rigorously controlled physicality prescribed for the ideal 19th century woman, with its emphasis on delicacy and fragility
1924 a rule barring married women from competing for the Miss America crown.
In September, the first woman of Native American heritage, Tulsa's Norma Smallwood, would win the crown.
Margaret Gorman was girlish and wholesome-looking. She also bore a striking resemblance to silent screen star Mary Pickford, who was just achieving fame as 'America's Sweetheart
Samuel Gompers, head of the American Federation of Labor, noted in the New York Times, "She (Margaret Gorman) represents the type of womanhood America needs; strong, red-blooded, able to shoulder the responsibilities of home-making and motherhood. It is in her type that the hope of the country resides."
Margaret Gorman-The 1st Miss America
Margaret Gorman's picture was one of approximately one thousand photos entered into a popularity contest held by the Washington Herald
Six remaining finalists were escorted around the city throughout the summer and Margaret Gorman was chosen as the first "Miss Washington, D. C." The prize for the winner was a trip to the Second Annual Atlantic City Pageant as an honored guest
Margaret, along with other "Inter-City Beauties," arrived in Atlantic City and entered a new event: The "Inter-City Beauty" Contest
It was judged in stylish afternoon attire by the judges, but and the public alike, who shared in 50 percent of the final score
Undoubtedly personality played a large role in the voting as masses of people surrounded each entrant to get to know her better and throw questions at them throughout the event
Later, the entrants were escorted and presented on the stage of the Keith Theatre on the Garden Pier
The amateur prize, the Watkins Trophy, was awarded to Margaret Gorman, Miss South Jersey
An immediate hit with the crowds, the "Inter-City Beauties" were later judged head-to-head against two other "Beauty" winners in selected classes of the now famous Bather's Revue: an "amateur winner" from over two hundred local women and tourists, and a "professional winner," which included a field of eleven professional models and actresses
In this extravagant and much-hyped final event, Margaret Gorman won the Grand Prize: the Golden Mermaid trophy.
After much celebration, it was back to Western High School for Margaret.
Upon her return to Atlantic City the following year, Margaret was expected to defend her positions. However, with the Washington Herald having selected a new "Miss Washington, D.C.1922," Atlantic City Pageant officials didn't know what new title to award Margaret. Since both titles she won in 1921 were a little awkward ("Inter-City Beauty, Amateur" and "The Most Beautiful Bathing Girl in America"), it was decided to call her "Miss America"
She is the only Miss America to receive a crown at the conclusion of her year
Margaret did compete in succeeding years unsuccessfully, but she always remained a favorite of Atlantic City crowds. In the mid-twenties, she married Victor Cahill, who was a real estate man. She enjoyed a happy marriage until his passing in 1957. She remained a life-long resident of Washington D.C. but enjoyed traveling as a favorite hobby. Near the end of her life, she said, "I've lived a charmed life. I've been very lucky. God has been very kind to me." Leaving behind several nieces and nephews who have fond and loving memories of Margaret, she passed away in early October 1995 at age 90.