While Miss USA, Miss America and Miss Universe are the more well known “Beauty Pageants”, Canada has/had its fair share as well. From little hometown Pageants to big ones like “Miss Dominion of Canada”, the middles years of the 20th Century in Canada were just as busy “judging beauty” as our neighbour to the south.

For today’s post we are going to take a look back at some of these ‘Vintage Beauty Pageants’.

Vintage Canadian Beauty Pageants

MISS WAR WORKER

In 1942, more than 100 contestants from Canada’s major military manufacturing plants vied for the title of “Miss War Worker.” The winner, Dorothy Linham, starred in a Palmolive Soap advertisement (Source).

FURTHER READING: World War 2 Women’s Contributions & Homefront Posts

1940s vintage photo of the Canadian Miss War Worker Pageant in 1942. The image features women wearing their factory uniforms.

Police Chief D.C. Draper presents ribbon to Dorothy Linham, Miss War Worker 1942. Toronto, Canada.

1940s vintage photo of Miss War Worker Beauty Contest 1942 Canada

Source: Wikipedia

MISS GREY CUP

ABOUT: The CFL (Canadian Football League) Grey Cup is the NFL equivalent to the Super Bowl. It’s very popular in Canada and even Toronto has a team (Go ARGOS!). One of the highlights of the Grey Cup was the ‘Miss Grey Cup Pageant’ featuring lovely ‘Unmarried’ ladies in cheerleading uniforms competing for the coveted title. It started in 1951 and ended in the 1990s after the public lost interest. Below is a couple of photos from the 1953 pageant.

(For more photos & information visit ‘A look back at the Miss Grey Cup Pageant‘ by the Globe and Mail)

Together for the first time in Toronto in 1953 were all the finalists for the Miss Grey Cup title, representing senior Canadian football teams.

1950s Vintage Photo: Together for the first time in Toronto in 1953 were all the finalists for the Miss Grey Cup title, representing senior Canadian football teams

Source: The Globe and Mail

Miss Grey Cup 1953 was chosen from a dozen finalists on the eve of the East-West football classic is Miss Saskatchewan Roughrider — Joanne Baird, 18-year-old Regina high school student, winner of several beauty and popularity awards in her home town.

1953 Winner of Miss grey Cup 1950s Photo

Source: Globe and Mail

MISS DOMINION OF CANADA

ABOUT: Miss Dominion of Canada was a beauty pageant held in Niagara Falls for many years, primarily at the Sheraton Brock Hotel, on July 1, Canada’s Dominion Day (now known as “Canada Day”), beginning in 1959.

The winner of this pageant represented Canada at four of the world’s largest international beauty pageants, Miss Universe (until 1977), Miss World (1962–1979), Miss International, and Queen of the Pacific (Source).

Her crowning moment: Hamilton’s Carol Ann Tidey — now Carol Mason — savours the glory as she becomes Miss Dominion of Canada on July 1, 1965, in Niagara Falls.

1960s Vintage Photo of Miss Dominion of Canada 1965. Her crowning moment: Hamilton's Carol Ann Tidey -- now Carol Mason -- savours the glory as she becomes Miss Dominion of Canada on July 1, 1965, in Niagara Falls.

Source: Hamilton Spectator

Marlene Leeson of Huntsville; Miss Dominion of Canada 1962; waits at Malton Airport for a plane which took her to London for the Miss World Contest.

1960s vintage photo of Miss Dominion of Canada 1962 in 1960s fashion. Marlene Leeson of Huntsville; Miss Dominion of Canada 1962; waits at Malton Airport for a plane which took her to London for the Miss World Contest.

Source: Toronto Public Library

MISS TORONTO PAGEANT

Learn about the history of the pageant and see more vintage photos on my blog post: Miss Toronto Pageant-The Early Days

Finalists in the Miss Toronto Pageant 1953. Winner Elizabeth Gibson is second from right.

1950s Vintage Photo of the Miss Toronto Pageant 1953 featuring the constestants in 1950s swimsuits.

PENETANG WINTERAMA QUEEN

1958-Ten girls still in the running for Penetang Winterama Queen title will appear on Pen Theatre stage Friday night in third elimination.

Left to right, front, Lucille Duquette, Barbara Labatte, Joan Somers, Mary Lou O’Leary, Betty Ann Mayer, Standing, Karen Robinson, Marguerite Gervais, Marita Lalonde, Anita Fournier, Carol Cummer.

1950s vintage photo of the Penetang Winterama Queen pageant contestants in 1950s fashions-1958.

Source: Huronia Museum

MISS CANADA

ABOUT: Miss Canada is a beauty pageant for young women in Canada. It was founded in Hamilton in 1945. No title was awarded from 1993 through 2008. According to the new Miss Canada and Miss Teen Canada web site, the title was re-established with a focus on personality over physical appearance. The Miss Canada competition is Canada’s oldest extant beauty pageant (Source).

The below video showcases the winners of Miss Canada from 1947-1972.

MISS PNE

(Pacific National Exhibition). Held from 1948 to 1993

Group photograph of Miss PNE 1957 contestants.

Miss P.N.E. Contest-1950s Beauty Pageant Contestantsin 1950s dresses.

Source: City of Vancouver Archives

What came first? The chicken or the egg? Miss PNE 1954.

1950s Vintage phot of Miss PNE 1954 Beauty Pageant Winner holding a chicken egg.

Source: PNE.ca

PNE Contestant 1957: “Miss White Rock” – Miss Fern Walker. What a dress!

1957 Miss PNE Contestant beauty contest "Miss White Rock" - Miss Fern Walker. What a stunning 1950s dress.

Source: City of Vancouver Archives

MISS BY-LINE

I was not able to find any real information on this contest beyond that the winner was chosen at the “By-line Ball; Toronto Men’s Press club’s annual dance at the Royal York.” If any of my readers have information, please share in the comments below.

Meet Miss by-line ‘1966; Ellen Tsuji; 20-year-old representative of the Japanese press in the Metro.

Source: Toronto Public Library

Miss by-line 1960; Pretty Diane Oster; 19.

Source: Toronto Public Library

Do you know Veronica Foster (Ronnie), the ‘Bren Gun Girl’? She was Canada’s “Rosie the Riveter” and was also “Miss By-Line in 1943”. How fun is her dress of Ontario newspapers?

Read all about Ronnie on my blog post: The Canadian “Rosie the Riveter”-Veronica Foster, The Bren Gun Girl

1940s Vintage Photo of Veronica Foster (Ronnie), The Bren Gun Girl as Miss By-Line 1943 in Toronto posing in Ontario Newspapers as a dress.

Source: Emailed to the Vintage Inn Blog

Thanks for stopping by friends and I hope you enjoyed checking out some of the beauty contests from the past. I know I always enjoy the fashions and hairstyles.

Question Time: Did you ever try out for a beauty contest? Share your experiences in the comments below.

Liz

It’s been awhile since I have shared my favourite vintage online reads and videos with all of you. I have just been so busy after the Christmas season, travelling and working on my marketing plan for my Pinterest business that I have completely forgotten.

Well don’t worry my lovely readers, today is the day that I showcase some super online content focusing on the 1920s-1960s (the Vintage Inn’s specialty).

Lets begin with my favourite binge obsession…The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel!

No spoilers in the article below, it’s just a fun “Behind the Scenes” post from Town & Country (click on the image to be taken to the article).

AND…..
Comment below if it’s also your fav show & if your not watching it…finish this blog post and off you go to catch up with the rest of us 🙂

Historica Canada has released a new ‘Heritage Minute‘ telling the story of the Vancouver Asahi baseball team. Challenged both on and off the field, they won multiple titles over 27 years. In 1942 their run was cut short, when they were interned along with 22,000 other Japanese Canadians.

This story is moving and very powerful and a must watch for Canadians and non Canadians alike (Video Link).

‘The Memory Project‘….

An initiative of Historica Canada, The Memory Project is a volunteer speakers bureau that arranges for veterans and Canadian Forces members to share their stories of military service at school and community events across the country. Our speakers have reached 2.5 million Canadians since 2001.

The Memory Project Archive houses more than 2,800 testimonials and over 10,000 images from veterans of the First World War, Second World War, the Korean War and peacekeeping missions. While the archive no longer accepts submissions, it remains the largest of its kind in Canada.

Here is one of those archived stories. The story of Alene Quick and a memory she had while serving in the Canadian Women’s Army Corps.

Alene Quick poses with friends outside the Canadian Women's Army Corps, Rosedale Barracks, where she stayed. 1940s The Memory Project vintage photo

Source: The Memory Project

Who is Hazel Scott? Alicia Keys shouts-out a legendary double piano player at the 2019 Grammys. Article by Time.com.

Hazel Scott, studio portrait, USA, 1950. (Photo by Gilles Petard/Redferns)

Video Link

As many of my readers know, I love ‘The Lindy Hop’ and have been swing dancing for almost 10 years. So it was very exciting when I saw that for Black History Month, Google’s Arts and Culture portal showcased several aspects of Lindy hop Culture. This included:

Image via Yehoodi

There’s lots more to explore on the portal on Black history and culture, so enjoy!

Recently while travelling to Malaysia last December I was finally able to see the much talked and raved about movie ‘Crazy Rich Asians‘. HOLY MOSES IT WAS AWESOME!! Hands down a fun movie that I have since watched several more times (Fun fact: My husband has watched it more haha!). Just like Mrs. Maisel, if you have not seen it yet please add it to your “must watch list”.

One of the things that caught my attention was the soundtrack. It had swing, it had a 50’s sound and it matched the movie perfectly and my toes never stopped tapping. I wanted to know about this music I was hearing.

Lucky for me, Yehoodi recently did an article entitled “The Stories behind the Swing Songs from “Crazy Rich Asians“. If this does not get you in the mood to A. Watch the movie and B. Start dancing, I don’t know what will!

That is it friends. Enjoy the last couple days of February, spring is around the corner!

Liz

Tag: Women’s History