‘“She’s Your Queen to Be!” Black Women in the Kentucky Pageantry Circuit’ discussion comes to the Filson April 8
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – In celebration of Women’s History Month, the Filson Historical Society will join with prominent Black women in Kentucky’s pageantry circuit for a panel discussion in “She’s Your Queen to Be!”: Black Women in the Kentucky Pageantry Circuit on Tuesday, April 8.
There is a long history of the modern beauty pageant dating back to the early 20th century with the installation of the Miss America Pageant in 1921. Most of the composition of its competitors have been white women, but there has been an increase in the shift in the number of Black women contestants and winners. In 2019, Black women held 5 major beauty pageant titles: Miss World, Miss America, Miss USA, Miss Universe, and Miss Teen USA. While these titles were on a national and international level, how does the pageantry space look on a local and regional level?
This program will discuss the historical, social, and political implications of American standards of beauty for Black women in the pageantry circuit in Kentucky. A panel of local former and current beauty queens will discuss their experiences about the origins and consequences of such standards. The discussion will also include their experiences about how culture and race center into this pageantry circuit. The panelists are current and former Black pageant queens including Dr. Estella Conwill Majozo, former Miss Exposition; Erica McPheeters, 2024-2025 Miss Kentucky State University, Jordan Ponder, 2024-2025 Miss Simmons College. This panel will be moderated by Ms. Kentucky USA Ambassador 2025 (who is currently vying for the National USA title) Andrea Bolden.
Dr. Jacqueline Hudson, the Filson’s African American Programs Manager, said, “The Filson is excited to present a program that will highlight the beacon of empowerment for Black women in Kentucky in a space where beauty standards have been dictated by the dominant culture. Our goal for this program is to show first-hand accounts on Black women’s perspectives in navigating through the pageantry circuit at a local level.”
“She’s Your Queen to Be” will be held on Tuesday, April 8 at 6:00 p.m. at the Filson Historical Society, 1310 S. 3rd St, Louisville. This program is offered in person and virtually via Zoom and registration for is requested to assure seating. Tickets are free for Filson members and $18 for potential members. If the cost to attend is a barrier, please contact the Filson to receive a code for free registration. Please visit filsonhistorical.org/events/upcoming-events to register or call (502) 635-5083.
For more information about the Filson’s upcoming events, please visit www.filsonhistorical.org, call (502) 635-5083, or email gro.lacirotsihnoslif@ofni.
