The Miss Oklahoma competition is approaching its 90th anniversary. The history of the competition is rich with six young women from Oklahoma winning the title of Miss America and many representing Oklahoma placing in the Top 5 and Top 10 at Miss America.
For years, the Miss Oklahoma competition was held in Oklahoma City. Starting In 1952 it was held at the First Christian Church in OKC. The pageant moved to Tulsa in 1964 and was held in the Civic Center. Toni Spencer was the Executive Director and Ralph Blane as the Producer/Director. The Kiwanis Club of Tulsa became co-sponsor of the pageant in 1966, and took over sponsorship in 1972 with Charles Welch as the Executive Director.
Today the Miss Oklahoma Organization is sponsored and governed by the Miss Oklahoma Organization Executive Board of Directors, led by Jack Cooper, Chairman of the Board/President and Kay Alexander, Executive Director.
The Kiwanis Club of Tulsa contributed to the success of the Miss Oklahoma Organization. Today, sponsors include the Muscogee Nation, Chickasaw Nation, patron donations, as well as the efforts of the Miss Oklahoma Organization itself.
The Miss Oklahoma Organization is proud to offer over $2,000,000 in cash and in-kind scholarships to delegates each year statewide. These scholarships are given out through the local competition, state colleges and universities tuition waivers, The Miss Oklahoma Scholarship Foundation, and the Miss Oklahoma Organization.
The Miss America Organization is one of the nation’s leading achievement programs and one of the world’s largest provider of scholarship assistance for young women. Each year, the Miss America Organization makes available millions in cash and tuition scholarship assistance. This assistance is not just for the handful of young women who become Miss America, but is available to all young women who compete in the state and local competitions as well. For more information visit the Miss America website at missamerica.org
