Here she comes, Miss America!

One of my fellow First United Methodist Church members came by the other day to show me her daughter-in-law's book. Eloise Gamble handed me a copy of “More Grace than Glamour” by Jane Jayroe with Bob Burke and I immediately after seeing the cover seriously jumped to attention.
The book was written by Miss America of 1967. My adrenaline began pumping, I live to watch the Miss America pageant!
Every since I can remember my mother would gather my sisters and I on the divan in our living room, turn out all the lights, place a big bowl of popcorn, bottles of Coca Cola and we would watch the Miss America pageant.
We would suck on halves of lemons after being sprinkled with salt from the Morton’s salt shaker. You know the big container with the little girl with the umbrella on the dark blue label and be glued to our big black and white Curtis Mathis television to watch the epitome of every little girl’s dream, to become Miss America! I know strange ritual, but one we loved to watch this pageant each year.
My sisters and I all wanted to be Miss America! Who wouldn’t want Burt Parks singing, “Here she comes, Miss America” as the lucky girl would walk the ramp in her glorious gown, gigantic diamond or what we thought were diamonds, crown, carrying a dozen red roses, tears streaming as she walked the runway, scepter in hand.
She was every little girl’s dream and I had just been handed a book on the memoir of a real Miss America. I could not wait to read the book.
I woke up really early that next morning with that book in mind. After making my morning serious coffee, I settled into my favorite wingback chair, coffee mug in hand and read the book, cover to cover before work.
That is a common occurance for me, as you know the saying, “So many books, so little time.”
I was not disappointed, in fact, being a child of the 70s, I read the book with a jaded eye. I went through many years thinking “beauty pageant,” what is that all about? Having girls in bathing suits parading like cattle for judges to be judged strickly by physical attributes, forget that interview thing, that was just for show.
Was the author going to tell me that the Miss America pageant was a sham, fixed by the girl with parents with the most money, girls in cat fights over who would win the title and secret politics involved in who won the coveted prize?
Actually, the book told a very realistic story about how a young small town girl from Oklahoma became Miss America at the age of 19. She could have been me or any other young girl in America. At 19 she had no idea what she had gotten herself into as Miss America.
Only after the glamour of being Miss America had faded did we find out that Jane’s life was like a roller coaster. You will read that while the glory of Miss America is one thing, there is a life that goes on beyond the crown.
I appreciated the beauty in the honesty of her failed dysfunctional marriage and the fact that she questioned her own self worth. Miss America has been taken off the pedestal and she has been found to be just like me, or your mother, sister, daughter or girlfriend.
She is a real woman with a real life, not the “Barbie” image we see on the stage but a real, live, living woman. The title “More Grace than Glamour” comes from Jane’s life of public service and community involvement that was only possible because of her great faith in God's grace.
I was inspired by Jane’s book and so will you. I found it the perfect read for any naysayer on the Miss America pageant or for anyone who has ever dreamed of being Miss America. I hope to bring Jane Jayroe in for my BOOKS ALIVE!, Christian and Inspirational Author Extravaganza that I am putting on November 4, 2006 as a fundraiser for the First United Methodist Church this fall.
In the meantime, I do hope you will read “More Grace than Glamour” as this book exemplifies the categories that I have as my guidelines for making book club selections as follows:
1) The book must be well-written. 2) The book must give a new voice to literature, one in which it's perspective has not been heard before. 3) The book must be discussable, have some conflict that spurs question and discussion. 4) I like to feature authors that have yet to be discovered in a big way. Or authors who may be known in other venues than being a writer. I happen to believe that people should not be categorized in only one box. I have found that people who excel in one thing, can also excel in another.
When Eloise handed me the book, I could see great pride in her daughter-in-law through her eyes. How very lucky for Jane. Everyday I thank my lucky stars for having people, authors, and publishers for bringing great books to my attention. That is why I would love to hear from all of you.
What great book have you read lately? If it fits all the criteria above, please let me know about that book. Some people go to the bestseller lists to find good reads. I have found that the best books that I read come from word of mouth. I would love to hear from you.
Tiara wearing and Book sharing, Kathy L. Patrick Founder of the NOW International Book Club, The Pulpwood Queens!
For more information on Jane Jayroe go to: www.missamerica.org/our-miss-americas/1960/1967.asp
This book is published by Oklahoma Heritage Association and part of the Oklahoma Voices Series. For more information go to: www.oklahomaheritage.com