Bette Cooper
Elizabeth "Bette" Cooper | |
---|---|
Born | Hackettstown, New Jersey, U.S. | August 11, 1920
Died | December 10, 2017 Greenwich, Connecticut, U.S. | (aged 97)
Alma mater | Centenary College of New Jersey |
Title | Miss Bertrand Island 1937 Miss America 1937 |
Predecessor | Rose Coyle |
Successor | Marilyn Meseke |
Spouse |
William F. Moore (m. 1951) |
Children | 2 |
Elizabeth "Bette" Cooper-Moore (August 11, 1920 – December 10, 2017) won the Miss America 1937 pageant as Miss Bertrand Island, representing an amusement park on Lake Hopatcong in New Jersey.[1]
Early life
She was born in Hackettstown, New Jersey.[2] Cooper attended Centenary Junior College (now Centenary University) in Hackettstown where she was a member of the Delta Sigma Sigma sorority and graduated in 1938 at ceremonies attended by Governor of New Jersey, A. Harry Moore.[2][3]
Pageantry
She caused a stir when she disappeared for some 24 hours with 21-year-old Lou Off, after winning the Miss America title.[4] Evidently overwhelmed by what was expected of her, she insisted upon a much lighter schedule so that she could attend college. This led pageant officials to have future Miss America contestants sign agreements as to what duties were expected of the winner and also be chaperoned.[4][5]
Career
Cooper, who did some modeling and appearances in the years after her title, has long shunned any connection or involvement with Miss America.[6] Michael Callahan wrote a roman à clef on Cooper titled The Night She Won Miss America (2017).[7]
Personal life
She married a Wall Street executive, William Moore, and had two children, Cheryl and Gregory, as well as four grandchildren.[5] Cooper died in December 2017 at the age of 97.[8]
External links
References
- ^ https://missamerica.org/in-memory-of-miss-america-1937-bette-cooper/
- ^ a b "Sororities Admit 85 at Centenary Junior; Majority of Students Named to Three Societies Are From New York Area". The New York Times. November 21, 1937. Retrieved December 6, 2007.
Miss Bette Cooper of this community, who was chosen Miss America for 1937 at the Atlantic City beauty contest in September, is a new member of Delta Sigma Sigma.
- ^ "68 to Get Diplomas at Centenary Junior; College at Hackettstown, N. J., to Hold Its Exercises Today". The New York Times. June 11, 1938. Retrieved December 6, 2007.
- ^ a b Hetrick, Christian (July 18, 2015). "The curse of Miss New Jersey". The Press of Atlantic City. Pleasantville, NJ: BH Media. Retrieved July 31, 2015.
- ^ a b Tauber, Michelle; Neill, Mike; Russell, Lisa; Fowler, Joanne; Dam, Julie; Tresniowski, Alex; Miller, Samantha; Dougherty, Steve; Yu, Ting (October 16, 2000). "American Beauties: 80 Years". People.
- ^ "Miss America History 1937". Miss America. Archived from the original on September 23, 2006. Retrieved December 30, 2006.
- ^ https://njmonthly.com/articles/jersey-living/books/when-miss-america-went-missing/>/
- ^ "Elizabeth Moore Obituary - Greenwich, CT". Legacy.com. Retrieved 24 February 2018.