Dorothy Benham Crowning

[@theheroseries]

Wow! Just seeing this... I am on the far left in the white high necked gown. I was the first black woman to place in the semi finals all those years ago. I was Miss Delaware 1976 Day Deborah Lipford-Gardner.

[@reginaldsawyer2945]

you looking good honey.

[@renegaderunner332]

I am from Delaware. I remember as a young kid how my parents were commenting about the fact that you had made history by being the first black woman to place in the top 10 at the Miss America Pageant. Congratulations.

[@mooncrab]

You made history and paved the way for Vanessa Williams.

[@doloreshuntoon7698]

You're looking swell, baby!!! I can tell, baby!!!

[@bryanedney2723]

I remember my Grandmom making us watch it. She was super excited that you made it to the finals. We thought you were robbed and should have been a runner-up AT LEAST. Weren't you the first African-American to make it into the top 10?

[@ManTexDal]

Now this is HOW Miss America should STILL be done , HOW I miss the glitz and glammor of the Miss America pageant of the 70s and early 80s

[@JosephPratt1986]

Bert Parks was (and still is) one of the best hosts that the Miss America Pageant has ever had!

[@californiagold3857]

Bert was the best because his entire heart was in it. When they say he was our Mr. America they were right.

[@SSNESS]

I hope he didn’t have bad breath

[@Reginald606]

Dorothy Benham Miss America 1977 is now a Recording artist and very talented Soprano opera Singer.

[@theheroseries]

Wow! You have a great memory! I have a copy of the pageant from the year I was in it. That's the only recording I have of me singing that song.

[@blackonyx2002]

Miss Delaware Deborah Lipford was the 1st African American to place in the top 10 that year.

[@payrysdoscs4903]

She's in the comments 😊

[@minnbeef]

A banner year for Minnesota in the big 2 beauty pagents. Dorothy Benham wins Miss America 4 months after Barbara Peterson wins Miss USA.

[@MrSkippydevereaux]

Also, they both were from Edina--that in itself must be a first--one city having both Miss USA and Miss America in the same year!!

[@Laceydog]

The most clear cut victory in the history of the Miss America Pageant. Dorothy was beautiful, intelligent, kind, and her talent remains one the very best in Miss America history.

[@VTMCompany]

She won it first time out, meaning she won her state title on the first try. Many Miss America title holders had numerous attempts at winning their state crown before being allowed to proceed to the pageant.

[@RN-DNP]

@VTMCompany Dorothy clearly deserved to win as she was second to none, but she ain't foolin' me for one second! She KNEW she had it after S.C.'s Livinia Cox was named first runner up. Dorothy's selection is a rare case where nobody would disagree with the outcome. Moreover, she has led an exemplary life. Kudos to the Miss America judges for gettin' one right.

[@cstoczyn]

RIP Bert Parks

[@theheroseries]

Thank you! Those were difficult times...I guess I was kind of the Willie Mays of pageants, huh? LOL!

[@cstoczyn]

Long Live Miss America!!!!

[@doloreshuntoon7698]

Hear-hear once again!!!

[@spideraxis5582]

Probably the most talented of all Miss Americas. The greatest of all American traditions.

[@MrRee-rs5dm]

Perhaps the most complete Miss America ever. Beauty, personality, and an abundance of talent.

[@galileocan]

Actually...look at the conestant to Dorothy Benham's right just prior to the announcement. I'm certain this girl knew Dorothy was going to win, and in fact was actually looking at her when the announcement was made. This was a sure thing!!

[@Reginald606]

The Crowning of Soprano Dorothy Benham Miss America 1977

[@reginaldsawyer2945]

You are so right Joseph Pratt.

[@cstoczyn]

Long Live Bert Parks!!!!

[@doloreshuntoon7698]

Hear-hear!!!

[@AndrewHuy]

Who were with Bert Parks for the 1977 Miss America Pageant?

[@georgecarter9544]

Phyllis George, Miss America 1971 and Debbie Ward, Miss Louisiana1973, and 3rd RU to Miss America.

[@blackonyx2002]

I also heard she has 7 kids. She looks amazing if she gave birth to all of them.

[@NJNupe1911]

@blackonyx2002 THANK YOU for stating that I was looking at her wondering if she was black, wow!

[@reginaldsawyer2945]

Hey 61Atlantic do you have the Complete 1976 Miss America Telecast: the Crowning of Miss America 1977 Dorothy Benham in Full Telecast?

[@theheroseries]

Wow...Barbara Jennings is your mom? I have been trying to contact Barbara for years! I was Miss Delaware that year! Is she still in Maryland? I live in Maryland now--would love to get together.

[@tjnaran8353]

Day Gardner you were amazing !

[@doloreshuntoon7698]

Ditto!!!

[@Parker528]

I am not sure either; interesting. Ric Ferencz the MAO website pageant historian and guy who, the last time I visited the Community Hall link on the site (dont know either if CH is still around) was basically its moderator, would definitely know that answer......I can't imagine the pageant NOT doing at least someone that yr for her or the next time she made an appearance, similar to what they do for the ladies on their 50th anniversary. Good question!

[@renegaderunner332]

I believe he passed away a few years ago..

[@doloreshuntoon7698]

I love you, Bert Parks, wherever you are!!!

[@georgecarter9544]

Ric Ferentz died in 2010 or 2011.

[@bassethound1]

Deborah, I remember you well. Any recording of you singing It Was A Good Time around??

[@vwc84]

So many white dresses: MN, TX, and VA stood out

[@blackonyx2002]

@galileocan was spelled Linda Mouron

[@VTMCompany]

0:48 A noise of protest for 2nd runner-up?

[@reginaldsawyer2945]

It is time for our first Native-American Miss America and i'm not just saying this because i'm Choctaw-Cherokee, it is just time for our first Native-American Miss America to take the stage.

[@Parker528]

Uhm Miss America 1926.....she was Native American Norma Smallwood of Oklahoma

[@doloreshuntoon7698]

Wowsers!!!

[@bryanedney2723]

Miss Delaware (Deborah Lipford) was the first African-American to make it to the MAO Top 10

[@SSNESS]

Colin Flaherty dated her DMTBKA

[@Juliaflo]

Deborah Lipford, Miss Delaware 1976, was the first African-American to make the top 10.

[@doloreshuntoon7698]

Unlike Cheryl Brown Miss Idaho America 1970.

[@georgecarter9544]

@@doloreshuntoon7698 Cheryl Brown was Miss Iowa 1970.

[@Parker528]

7? I think it is six.........but i should re-google i know the other miss america winners have a superlative name for her in reference to how well her body bounces back after all the baby deliveries her body has endured.

[@georgecarter9544]

Benham had 6 children.

[@emmarose4234]

Howdy! Do you have the 2006 intro? I loved it but forgot to tape it. 😕