Slaughter, Lenora S. (1906–2000)

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Slaughter, Lenora S. (1906–2000)

American pageant executive. Name variations: Lenora Slaughter Frapart. Born Lenora S. Slaughter, Oct 23, 1906; died Dec 4, 2000, in Arizona; m. Bradford Frapart (died Sept 1972).

Served as executive director of the Miss America Pageant (1941–67), generally acknowledged as the one who changed it from a "girly" competition into a respected pageant; credited with many innovations, including college scholarships; backed Yolande Betbeze (Miss America, 1951) when she refused to pose in a swimsuit.

See also Frank Deford, There She Is (Viking, 1971).

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