1983 was an amazing year, to say the least! Microsoft Word was launched. Gas was on an average of $1.25 per gallon. NASA successfully completed a mission in June of 1983. Not to mention, the Mario Bro. game debuted in 1983, alongside the hit television show, Fraggle Rock. Flashdance and Star Wars Episode VI, were also some of the largest box office hits. The Miss America Organization crowned a new titleholder, Vanessa Williams, and her fellow Class of 1984 sister, Trelynda Kerr, is the next to be featured as part of our recent "My Miss America Legacy" series. Continue reading to learn more about Kerr and what her Miss America legacy would be.

For about three years, Kerr was a member of the Miss America Organization. And during her time she “competed in the Miss America Organization program when (she) was 17 (years old).” She continued to tell us, “I skipped the next year then went back to same local.”

After that time, she was 2nd runner up for her state of Oklahoma. She came back the next year and won the title of Miss Oklahoma 1983, and went onto compete for the title of Miss America. During her reign she had two local titles of  Miss Shawnee and Miss Grand Lake and Miss Oklahoma.


When Kerr took part in the Miss America pageant, she said, “we did not have a required platform back then. I entered for the scholarship money and help launch a country music singing career.”


For Kerr transitioning to the Miss America Organization was an easy notion. She explained to us, “I grew up in pageants. I entered my first pageant at (the age of ) five, and as I grew older, I dreamed of being Miss America!”


When asked what Kerr’s Miss America Legacy would be, she said, “if I have any legacy it might not be about the year I competed, but more about now! Living my true life as a gay woman and connecting back to the Miss America Organization after years of being removed from it! Helping girls be their true selves!”