Find Out the First Miss America Winner from Your State

#36: Miss Oklahoma, 1926 — Norma Smallwood

Norma Smallwood became Oklahoma’s first Miss America in 1926 and was also the first Native American woman to hold the title. Born in Manford, she came from a modest background but dazzled judges with her beauty, intelligence, and stage presence.

Her reign was groundbreaking, and she used the platform to pursue endorsements and appearances, making her one of the first Miss Americas to turn the crown into a business opportunity. Smallwood’s success gave Oklahoma a reputation as a powerhouse state in the pageant’s early years.