Miss America: Behind glamor lies discord and division

Here is an overview of the drama unfolding behind the scenes:

Email scandal creates a leadership vacuum

According to e-mails reviewed by CNN, Carlson was referred to as one of the two acting co-chairs. But in an appeal with the council, Carlson presented himself as the only choice, said Deborah Berge, one of the council members who appointed her in December. Berge said that she and the others were eager to save an organization that they loved and named her easily.

"I thought it was a perfect choice because she had a wonderful career, she is a very public figure and she must have a lot of contacts that would be beneficial," Berge said. "I did not think a second time when she came to the board and said," You have to name me. "

When the organization announced the appointment of Carlson, there was no mention of a co-chair or that the role was temporary. The organization told CNN that a majority of "trainers" had named Carlson for the role, and no one was talking about a co-chair, spokesman Karl Nilsson said.

Allegations of a "toxic" conference room

Some The members became directors, which meant that they had a fiduciary responsibility to tens of thousands of stakeholders across the country, many of whom were volunteers working year-round at contests. local.

Miss America 1998 Kate Shindle, now actress and singer, president of the syndicate of actors, said she left the board to escape a "toxic" environment. She felt that she and others needed to act as "board of directors" for ideas that burned Carlson's personal brand rather than the organization, she said.

"I felt that our good faith attempts at surveillance were characterized as destructive, hostile and / or unappreciated by the hard work and long hours of others, and ultimately I thought I could not do my job. legal trustee in the current climate, for which any director can be held personally liable, "she said in a letter dated June 27 addressed to members of the Miss America organization. The letter was co-signed by three other members who left.

One of them, Miss North Carolina 1991, Jennifer Vaden Barth, remembers a meeting at which Carlson "shouted and reprimanded" the council. "It was at that point that I realized that I could never give the best of my skills to the organization." Instead, I would have to denounce the lack of transparency, integrity and good governance, "she said.

The spokesman for the organization, speaking on behalf of Carlson, called the allegations "false and slanderous". He declined to comment further, saying it would legitimize "unhappy voices".

The spokesman for the organization, speaking on behalf of Carlson, called the allegations "false and slanderous". He declined to comment further, claiming that it would give "legitimacy" to "discontented voices".

Swimsuit controversy

According to Shindle and Barth, the council's decision to end the swimsuit was not unanimous, despite contrary assertions from the Miss America organization. They say that Carlson introduced it as a binary choice: drop the swimsuit or they would lose ABC television. The Miss America organization told CNN that swimsuit loss was not a prerequisite for the telecast and that Carlson did not present it as such.

Some former competitors said the chance to show off their hard-earned physique was part of Miss America's call. Miss America began as a swimsuit competition in 1921, when she was considered a liberator to wear swimsuits. The look still holds for some who viewed it as a celebration of femininity and beauty.

"There has to be a very realistic conversation about what women are really looking for in the Miss America contest," said Miss California 2013 Crystal Lee, premiere of the Miss America 2014 contest.

Miss America is not the only way to make money or show talent, she said. Like any exclusive club, people aspire to its ranks because of what its members represent: smart, ambitious, well-rounded women, each one comfortable in their own skin. But, if getting rid of her swimsuit makes the competition more appealing to a wider range of candidates, Lee says she wants it.

Others objected to Carlson's coaching. "We are no longer a show, Miss America will represent a new generation of women leaders focused on scholarship, social impact, talent and empowerment," Carlson said in a statement.

Miss America 1992 Carolyn Sapp Daniels opposes the suggestion that she was less motivated to participate in a swimsuit. As a Miss America, she has worked on initiatives with the State Department, the Department of Education and visited dozens of schools and state houses, she added.

"We have broken glass ceilings for over 30 years, we have nothing to say," she said. "We do not need to appeal to everyone, only to women who choose to participate."

In July, at a conference at the National Press Club, Carlson said that although she identifies with #MeToo, her work for Miss America is a separate but parallel path. But, for Daniels, messaging is an example of Carlson using Miss America to elevate its brand and align it to the wider movement.

"I do not withdraw her movement, but her movement is not the Miss America movement," she said. "Miss America has 51 incredible women with their own platforms, Miss America is not #MeToo."

Miss America 2004 Ericka Dunlap calls the distraction swimsuit problem among Miss America's stakeholders in terms of mismanagement and financial distress. Getting rid of the swimsuit could have been a chance to create new partnerships with fitness and clothing brands, she said.

"The swimsuit is a distraction from the underworld to excite people," she said. "You can love it or hate it, but let's talk about finances because there's nothing more sexy than a solid bank account."

Calls for resignations begin

"We were promised transparency, competence, and respect for best practices and good governance.The current directors and identified staff members have individually and collectively broken their promises and commitments." Is simply a new title for the same old tactics of obfuscation and fear-based governance. "

In response, another group of former Miss Americas rallied to defend Carlson and the remaining board for "having worked tirelessly to advance our program."

"In any transition, there are always those who do not agree or find it difficult to accept the change.We welcome those who want to go ahead and participate in a program. revitalized to provide scholarships and opportunities for all young women. " I said.

Miss America's allegations made public

The commotion erupted in a scathing letter from current Miss America Cara Mund, who accused Carlson and Hopper of marginalizing her so that Carlson could be the face of Miss America.

"The rhetoric about women's empowerment, openness and transparency are excellent, but the reality is very different. I live this difference. To remain silent is to give the power and the power of the women who will follow me. I am not comfortable with the fact that we are controlled, manipulated, silenced or intimidated. "

The alleged behavior runs counter to what Miss America represents, said Heather Whitestone McCallum, Miss America 1995.

"Miss America is the face of Miss America and she deserves to be treated with respect," she said. "I feel bad for Cara and I feel responsible for supporting Gretchen."

Carlson denied Mund's allegations in a statement on Twitter, claiming that she was "saddened by the words". She spoke directly to Mund, saying she had never "intimidated or silenced her" and that she had already cost them money.

"You are at the epicenter of a very historic moment for women.In the last two years, our country has experienced a seismic shift in the representation and treatment of professional women. opportunity to be at the forefront of real positive change for young women across the country and hope you will be a part of it. "

But for some members of the organization, the damage is already done and calls for Carlson's resignation continue.