Beauty Pageants, Feminism And Trump; You Might be Surprised (or not): Book Review

TGIF

TGIF (said no hairstylist, ever)! Except for this stylist, thanks to Covid and a massive career change. The pandemic brought an end to a long a wonderful profession. However, there are no regrets as I embark on a new venture. You see, I have returned to academia, pursuing an MA in English. While my heart will forever remain within the beauty industry, I am setting out to pave the waters of the literary world. As such, rather than a beauty product review, this Friday’s Favorite from Ask the Pro Stylist recommends an insightful book with an ideology near and dear to my heart; feminism.

Miss America 2021

Miss America, dance competitions, beauty pageants, and the like were yet additional casualties of the global pandemic. Sadly, Miss America 2021 was canceled. However, the new crowning of Miss America 2022 will take place at the Mohegan Sun, December 2021. Admittedly, I have never been a fan of Miss America or any beauty pageant for that matter. This could appear to be a falsehood to those familiar with my family of competitive, male dancers. Yet, I was never that backstage mom, nor did I enjoy the backstabbing gossip associated with it. Although, I always believed it prepared my sons for their subsequent careers in entertainment and helped my youngest high school student socially. Mostly, I am immensely grateful for every moment of watching them dance on stage. Ironically, these are just a few of the reasons Friedman lists as benefits for young women in the pageant world.

Here She Is The Complicated Reign of The Beauty Pageant in America

To begin, although viewership of Miss America is down, for fans missing the grand spectacle of intelligent, beautiful women, I highly recommend Here She Is The Complicated Reign of The Beauty Pageant in America written by Hilary Levey Friedman, the daughter of Miss America 1970, Pamela Eldred. Pick one up today for your Kindle to learn the history of the pageant and its relationship with feminism.

Not to Give It All Away

The book details every facet of pageantry and its offshoots. Friedman takes you behind the scenes from the pageant’s early beginnings as bathing beauty contests; to Lenora Slaughter’s revamping that excluded many American women due to anti-Semitism, racism, and ableism; to its current status, touching on all facets of the pageant world including Trump’s sexism and the #MeToo Movement, Reality TV, three waves of feminism, Vanessa Williams, Jon Benét Ramsey, and children’s pageants. In addition, she calls out slut-shaming, identity politics, body positivity, and the “feminine ideal.”

Third Wave of Feminism & Beauty Pageants

Throughout the book, the author draws parallels between the waves of feminism from the Suffragettes through the #MeToo Movement to, specifically, the Miss America pageant. (Although, Miss USA and others are frequent topics). While Miss America has always been a target of hatred, she points to how the pageant has grown with women’s rights over the past 100 years and is paramount in scholarships and the production of journalists, physicians, lawyers, and entertainers. However, she is quick to note not one Miss America winner has been elected to public office or is a CEO for a major business. Can it’s rebranding with “Preparing great women for the world and preparing the world for great women” boost viewership? Perhaps, or not. But, for these reasons and a foray into the world of pageantry and its historical impact, I will watch the next Miss America installment

Happy Styling!

If you have a product or book for review like this week’s title, Here She Is The Complicated Reign of The Beauty Pageant in America, relating to beauty pageants, feminism, and Trump, by Hilary Levey Friedman, which is thoroughly interesting, a great read, and highly recommended, then please email me at asktheprostylist@gmail.com Until then, happy styling!

©Deirdre Haggerty, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. It is unlawful to reproduce this article or any part therein without prior written permission and consent from the author.

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