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Tuesday, January 21, 2025
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In the 1930’s African-Canadians rarely had
the opportunity to see beautiful black women in advertisements
or in fashion magazines. Women of colour were often barred from
entering mainstream beauty pageants. In 1931 “Mr. Emancipation”,
Walter Perry, helped bring beautiful and talented young black women
into the spotlight in Windsor with the first annual Miss Sepia
Pageant.
Contestants were judged on the basis of evening gowns, swimwear and talent competitions.
In addition to the honour of being crowned Miss Sepia winners also received prizes
in the form of cash, a trophy and flowers. Local contestants took great pride
in representing Windsor and Essex County. Little cuties also got into the act
competing in the Little Miss Sepia Pageant. |
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Mrs. Perry with Miss Sepia 1949 Mary Clark, 17
of Detroit, Runner Up Beverly Evan 17 also of Detroit and the
3rd place winner Cora Davis of Windsor (Windsor Star 2/08/1949),
Photo Courtesy of the Windsor Star. |
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Miss Sepia 1964 Guinevere Duncan 18 of Detroit with Sharon
LeGrand, Frances LaRachal, Daisy Washington, Lynn Smith, Rene
Hickson, Aszilee Chase, Elanore Davis, Earline Ayler and Mary
Hightower (Windsor Star 4/08/1964), Photo
Courtesy of the Windsor Star. |
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Miss Sepia 1961 Joan Hurst, 17, of 1097 McDougall St. in
Windsor in middle with 3rd place winner LaRita Mallare, 21,
of Detroit and First Runner-up Marilyn Grayer, 17, of Harrow.
(Windsor Star 1/08/1961), Photo Courtesy of the Windsor Star. |
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Miss Sepia 1992 Kerry Hurst (Windsor Star 2/08/1992), Photo
Courtesy of the Windsor Star. |
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Miss International Sepia 1961 Joan Hurst, 17, of 1097 McDougall
St. Windsor (Windsor Star 1/08/1961), Photo
Courtesy of the Windsor Star. |
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Previous winner Joan Hurst of McDougall St. in Windsor passes
the crown to Miss Sepia 1962 Elaine Horn 19 of Detroit (Windsor
Star 8/08/1962), Photo
Courtesy of the Windsor Star. |
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Miss Sepia 1977 Tammy Taylor, 17, of Windsor poses with Edmund
Powell (Windsor Star 1/08/1977),
Photo Courtesy of the Windsor Star. |
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Miss Sepia 1981 Vernethia Coley of Detroit with 1st Runner-Up
Karen Golden of Windsor in background (Windsor Star 4/08/1981),
Photo Courtesy of the Windsor Star. |
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Miss Sepia 1983 Velta Lynn Stovall, 17, a grade 12 student
at Lowe Secondary at Amherstburg Celebration (Windsor Star
5/08/1983), Photo Courtesy of the Windsor Star. |
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Little Miss Sepia Contestants Shay Lynn, 3, Shantel Scott,
3, and Tanya Rauls aged 4 (Windsor Star 1/08/1982), Photo Courtesy
of the Windsor Star. |
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Miss Sepia 1978 Karen Highgate encourages Little Miss Sepia
Contestant Lisa Milburn aged 7 (Windsor Star 28/07/1981), Photo
Courtesy of the Windsor Star. |
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Miss Sepia 1959 contestants in swimwear and sashes. In the
Front Row: Jeanette McDowell, Elane Jackson, chosen Miss Sepia;
Betty Jones, Barbara Jean Abbott, Vivian Collins, Anna Owen,
Christine Price, Mildred Sann, Thelma Colquitt, Shirley Jean
Sims, LaRita Mallore. Back Row: Gloria Saylor, Mildred Smith,
Joyce Shaw, Ruby Paige, Carolyn Henderson, Barbara Bonner,
Delores Marshall, Imogene Garrard, Sidney Giles, Geraldine
Harris, Catherine Hymer, Sadie Sparks. (Windsor Star 4/08/1959),
Photo Courtesy of the Windsor Star. |
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The
opinions and interpretations in this publication are those of the author
and do not necessarily reflect those of the Government of Canada. |
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