Jane Jayroe and Susan Powell have been the only Oklahoma winners to date who went on to wear all three crowns, but they’re not the only metro area contestants who have received the opportunity to advance to bigger stages.
For many local titleholders, their stories began at the Miss Oklahoma City pageant, which celebrated its 101st anniversary this year. The first Miss America pageant was in September 1921, and two years later, Mary Dean Overby won the first Miss Oklahoma City competition. In 1923, 1924 and 1925, all three Miss Oklahoma City winners went on to win the Miss Oklahoma pageants and ended up placing in the top 10 in the Miss America pageant. The Miss America winner was announced as the most beautiful woman in America.
During Overby’s Miss America competition in Atlantic City, she wore several outfits, including an afternoon dress with a hat, an evening gown, dinner dress and a swimsuit, which a century ago was referred to as a sport suit.
Fourteen Miss OKCs have won the Miss Oklahoma title. Early in the Miss OKC pageant’s history, contestants were judged on swimsuit and evening gown presentation.
During its earliest years, Miss OKC pageants also would often have as many as 100 contestants. Today the average is about 21 competing for the Miss OKC crown and 14 for Miss OKC Teen. Each contestants is judged on a private interview, an on-stage question about her Community Service Initiative, evening gown, health and fitness that includes activewear and talent or her story.
Recently the Miss OKC crown found its way back to a familiar family: Deanne Luckinbill Gibson won the title in 1991, and this year her daughter, Elizabeth Gibson, was crowned Miss OKC 2025. Gibson is a nationally ranked adult figure skater, actress and social media influencer.
The Miss OKC and Miss OKC Teen pageants are associated with the Miss Oklahoma organization. To become a Miss Oklahoma contestant, a young woman must enter and win a local competition like the Miss Oklahoma City competition. With a local title, she can qualify to advance to the Miss Oklahoma competition held each year in June.
These pageants have long passed the days of being considered beauty contests. Over the years, the Miss Oklahoma pageants, including Miss OKC, have undergone several changes and trends, including more focus on scholarship opportunities, a broader age range of competitors and greater emphasis on social advocacy along with the talent segment of competition.
Pageants also have seen more women with various backgrounds and from different hometowns, mirroring the state’s diverse population. Many competitors also already have higher education degrees or are pursuing or working in their chosen careers.
There’s already anticipation for the next Miss Oklahoma pageant, which after 60 years in Tulsa will return to the Oklahoma City area in 2025. The pageant will be held next June at Rose State College Hudiburg Center for the Performing Arts.
