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| Courtesy Sandusky Register |
Her post-pageant life and career is well-known as well. In 1970, she suffered a stroke at the age of 28, and spent the next seven years in rehabilitation, relearning how to walk and do simple tasks. After her recovery, she later became a successful spokesperson and is still a much sought-after motivational and inspirational speaker.
The big 50th Anniversary of her selection as Miss America took place back in November 2012. At the time, the Sandusky Register covered it with a great interview.
In the meantime, below is an article that ran in the Journal on September 6, 1963 – 51 years ago this month – as Jackie's reign as Miss America was winding down. It's a nice look at what she was thinking after spending an exciting and fulfilling year as Miss America.
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Jackie Sad To See Reign End
ATLANTIC CITY, N. J. (AP) "It's quite sad to see it
come to an end."
“It’s been a marvelous experience,” Jackie said as she
recalled the past year which saw her travel over 200,000 air miles throughout
the United States and England. "I just hope that girl I crown will have as
wonderful a time as I had."
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| Courtesy Ohio History Connection |
"It's very nostalgic to be here she said. "I'm
very envious of them. I would like to go through the whole thing again.
"It's been a busy year. Sometimes we would make five to
seven personal appearances a week but I've learned a great deal.
"Coming in contact with the outside world and the
people in its has given me an education I couldn't get in a year's time at
school,” Jackie said. "I've also made so many wonderful friends. It will
be very sad not to see them again."
The reigning beauty will return to Northwestern as a
sophomore and will major in radio and television. She had completed one year at
the school before being crowned.
"I don't think I will have much trouble getting back
into the swing of things at college,” Jackie said. "Maybe the first month
will be awkward. Perhaps some of the students will stare at me, but they will
learn to accept me.
"I know I want an education and will study very hard
for it,” she said. "A woman must have an education these days."
A little online research revealed that the shorter name "Jackie Mayer Highway" did indeed precede the current highway designation, dating back to the early 1960s. Jackie Mayer herself cut the ribbon in a ceremony opening the new Route 2 bypass from Huron through Rt. 250 on November 2, 1962.
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| From the Lorain Journal of September 7, 1963 |
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By the way, I was a little confused during my research for this post when I read that Route 2 in Erie County was only officially named the "Jackie Mayer Miss America Highway" in August 2002. I remembered "Jackie Mayer" signs many years before that – going back to the 1960s.A little online research revealed that the shorter name "Jackie Mayer Highway" did indeed precede the current highway designation, dating back to the early 1960s. Jackie Mayer herself cut the ribbon in a ceremony opening the new Route 2 bypass from Huron through Rt. 250 on November 2, 1962.
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| Miss America 1963 Jackie Mayer cuts the ribbon opening the "Jackie Mayer Highway." The man whose face is adjacent to Jackie's in the photo is Ohio Governor Michael DiSalle. |
2 comments:
Is it true that Jackie had a child out of wedlock and her name was removed from the highway (and then apparently put back on in 2002)??
I'm sure it isn't true and has nothing to do with any sign change. The highway was originally designated "Jackie Mayer Highway" after she won. It became "Jackie Mayer Miss America Highway" in 2002, with new signs, perhaps to better explain why she is honored.
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