MINNESOTA HAS HAD 3 MISS AMERICA'S!
Bebe Shopp (Hopkins)
Miss Minnesota 1948
Miss America 1948
http://www.missamerica.org/our-miss-americas/1940/1948.asp
BeBe serves with the distinction of being the first Miss America crowned in an evening gown
after the pageant was resurrected in 1935.
She has served the Miss America program on a local, state, and national level for over fifty years,
being an avid supporter with a lifelong commitment
to the scholarship program for young women.
BeBe has focused on many volunteer and
professional interests over the years including
raising four daughters, promoting drug abuse prevention, supporting VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America), being active in her local church as a licensed lay minister, occasionally performing on the vibes and piano, and now enjoying her ten grandchildren.
What She's Doing Now As a singer with a group called “Share the Music”, Bebe performs in a local dinner theater production. The two-hour show consists of solos, duets and ensemble works. She also stays busy attending all the sporting and musical events of her nine
grandchildren.
Dorothy Benham (Edina)
Miss Minnesota 1976
Miss America 1977
http://www.missamerica.org/our-miss-americas/1970/1977.asp
Dorothy has stayed actively involved in the Miss America program since her year of service. She is a celebrated soprano, whose voice has blessed many preliminary shows as well as several telecasts with her beautiful grace and strong music abilities.
Dorothy made her Broadway solo singing debut in 1989 in "Jerome Robbins' Broadway". Dorothy is a mother of six who has toured with live orchestras using her beautiful soprano voice to enthrall audiences everywhere.
She has appeared numerous times as a musical guest on the national television broadcast "The Hour of Power."
Dorothy has now released 3 CD recordings, including her most recent entitled, "from the heart," a collection of her favorite Broadway love songs. You can check out her personal website at
http://www.dorothybenham.com
Gretchen Carlson (Anoka)
Miss Minnesota 1988
Miss America 1989
http://www.missamerica.org/our-miss-americas/1980/1989.asp
Gretchen graduated with honors from Stanford University in 1990 with a self-designed degree in Organizational Behavior. She also studied at Oxford University in England. Her first love was the violin. Gretchen started playing when she was six years old. Her dream was to one day become a famous concert artist and perform at Carnegie Hall. Gretchen studied with Dorothy DeLay at the Julliard School of Music in New York City, and became the first classical violinist ever to win the title of Miss America.
Gretchen has an extensive career as a television journalist. She has joined the Fox News Channel based in New York City as a weekday anchor. Before achieving this goal, Gretchen criss-crossed the nation building her career as an Anchor/Reporter in Texas, Ohio, Virginia, and Minnesota.
Gretchen's broadcasting awards and honors include the National American Women in Radio and Television Awards for her 30-part series on Domestic Violence, and for her "Day Care Investigation" in 1997. She also received two Emmy Awards.
Although Gretchen did not choose to make music her career, she continues to be a strong advocate of the arts, especially as it relates to children. She believes music builds discipline and self-esteem in kids and gives them the confidence to be successful in whatever career they choose.
Gretchen currently resides in New York City with her husband.
Gretchen is proud of her Swedish heritage. She remains a huge fan of the Minnesota Vikings Football Team and is proud to say she grew up in Minnesota.
What She's Doing Now
An award-winning television anchor and reporter, Gretchen has joined the Fox News Channel based in New York City as a weekday anchor. Previously, Gretchen was the co-host of the Saturday Early Show and news correspondent at CBS News in New York. She also serves as a National Celebrity Spokesperson for the March of Dimes. She and her husband, Casey, are the proud parents of two children, and reside in Manhattan.
