In 1952, Beulah Melvin Allen, M.D. became the first Miss Navajo at
the Navajo Nation Fair. According to Dr. Allen, the titleholder “Miss Navajo” was
selected by crowd
applause before evolving into a week-long competition and pageant we know today.
Contestants competing
for the title would stand in front of an audience of approximately 10,000 people.
The young lady who
received the loudest applause would be crowned and recognized as “Miss Navajo.”
During the early period, there were many changes to the title since its inception.
Miss Navajo 1954 - 1956, 1957-1958 Charlotte Lawrence Greenstone was the only woman
to hold the title for three terms. After 1958, the pageant introduced dual titles
with Miss Traditional Navajo and Miss Modern Navajo to represent the two worlds
Navajo women must walk in modern society. The dual titleholders changed back into
the singular “Miss Navajo” title recognizing Miss Navajo 1963-1964 Anna Mae Begay
Fowler.
During the early period, there were many changes to the title since its inception.
Miss Navajo 1954 - 1956, 1957-1958 Charlotte Lawrence Greenstone was the only woman
to hold the title for three terms. After 1958, the pageant introduced dual titles
with Miss Traditional Navajo and Miss Modern Navajo to represent the two worlds
Navajo women must walk in modern society. The dual titleholders changed back into
the singular “Miss Navajo” title recognizing Miss Navajo 1963-1964 Anna Mae Begay
Fowler.
In 2010, the Office of Miss Navajo Nation crowned the winner as “Miss Navajo Nation”
as the official and new titleholder name. The titleholder name was changed to
represent the position Miss Navajo Nation represents in the tribal governance
system. Present day, titleholder can only serve one term and is recognized as “Miss
Navajo Nation”.
The Miss Navajo Nation is recognized as the Goodwill Ambassador of the Navajo Nation,
she represents, establishes and maintains relationships between various nations and
advocates for Navajo people. She is capable of accomplishing many goals and projects
and is a positive role model for young people everywhere. Throughout the years, Miss
Navajo Nation has represented both symbolic and real-life efforts and will continue
to do so in the 21st Century.
As each year passes by, Miss Navajo Nation remains a consistent presence in the
Navajo Nation Government and endures administration change and the changing of time.
MISS NAVAJO NATION PAGEANT
The Office of Miss Navajo Nation is responsible and mandatory to plan, coordinate and
host the Pageant annually, and is officially responsible for initiating and
implementing changes to competition categories.
Miss Navajo Nation Pageant is cultural pageant, and the pageant has proven to
represent the beauty of Navajo culture, language and tradition. In addition, Navajo
elders, community members and children leave with a refreshing sense of Navajo
pride. For over half a century, Miss Navajo Nation has provided a leader, a role
model and an advocate for Navajo culture and language.
The Miss Navajo Nation Pageant competition categories has changed, the “Applause
Competition” has evolve into a week-long competition. The Traditional and
Contemporary Skills & Talent Competitions were introduced in 1980s. In 1996, the
Sheep Butchering skill was incorporated to demonstrate a young lady’s knowledge of
preparing traditional foods. The Office of Miss Navajo Nation can introduce new and
exciting changes to the pageant competition. In 2016, the Fry Bread category was
replaced it with Traditional Foods category.
The most important qualification for the Miss Navajo Nation Pageant is to be fluent
speaking in the Navajo and English languages. The contestants must fill the
requirements of having knowledge of the Navajo culture and tradition and passion to
revitalizing our Navajo Philosophy. Miss Navajo Nation Pageant is a cultural
pageant, unlike most beauty pageants throughout the world, the pageant emphasizes
beauty “within” one’s self.