A woman who won the Miss New Mexico title in 1948 is finally receiving her crown and sash after 68 years.
Bertha Young, 90, told KOAT that she was 22 years old when her sorority sisters urged her to enter a beauty pageant. Young went on to win Miss Albuquerque and was selected as Miss New Mexico in 1948. But because of post-war economic issues, Young never received her crown and sash.
Young finally received her crown and sash on Saturday from the current Miss America, Betty Cantrell. Video of the ceremony has been viewed more than 800,000 times.
1948 Miss New Mexico winner finally given crown https://t.co/q483CaB27u pic.twitter.com/tRTfdpWeEa
— KOAT.com (@KOATLiveUpdates) May 18, 2016
This evening I got to crown Miss New Mexico 1948! When she won the title of #MissNewMexico, they didn't have a crown or sash to present her with because of the effects of the depression. So today I had the honor of giving her that well deserved crown and sash! Betha is 90 years old and still beautiful as ever! #forevermissnewmexico #crownandsash
Posted by Miss America Organization on Saturday, May 14, 2016
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