Miss America Organization

Miss America Organization, the Miss America program exists to provide personal and professional opportunities for young women and to promote their voices in culture, politics and the community. The program provides a forum for today's young women to express their viewpoints, talents and accomplishments to audiences during the telecast and to the public-at-large during the ensuing year. The Miss America Organization (MAO) provides more than $45 million a year in cash and scholarships to its Miss America beauty pageant participants, who in turn perform some 570,000 hours of community service. Contestants compete locally, and 52 women (from 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the US Virgin Islands) make it to the Miss America competition each year. The winner goes on a yearlong speaking tour to promote her chosen cause, including homelessness, HIV/AIDS, literacy, and world peace. MAO was established in 1921.