Jacquelyn Jeanne "Jackie" Mayer (born August 20, 1942) is a former Miss Ohio 1962 and Miss America 1963 and currently travels the United States as a motivational speaker, noted for her recovery from a near-fatal stroke suffered at age 28. Early life and education Mayer graduated Sandusky High School in 1960, spending much of her senior year in Austria as an exchange student, and then attended Northwestern University, where a friend encouraged her to enter the Miss America contest for the scholarship money offered to the winner. Pageantry She was first crowned Miss Vacationland (representing her native Sandusky and Lake Erie Islands region) in 1962 - becoming the first ever winner of the crown, then went on to win the Miss Ohio pageant later that year. On September 8, 1962 at Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall, she was crowned Miss America 1963. Mayer is an executive director of the Miss Vacationland pageant. Health issues and activism In 1970, Mayer suffered a stroke in the early hours following a Thanksgiving evening with her family. She was rushed to the hospital and though surviving, spent the next seven years in rehabilitation needing to re-learn such simple tasks as the alphabet and basic motor functions. Thirty years later, having regained the ability to walk and speak, Mayer considers herself 90% recovered. Firelands Regional Medical Center in Sandusky, formerly known as Providence Hospital, features the Jackie Mayer Rehab & Skilled Nursing Center. For over 20 years, Mayer has dedicated her life to assisting stroke survivors and their families. She has been a spokeswoman for the American Heart Association, made educational films to raise stroke awareness, helped found the National Stroke Association, and has appeared on Good Morning America and The Phil Donahue Show, and her story has been featured in magazines such as People and Family Circle. Personal life She married John Townsend and has two children, Bill Townsend, a technology entrepreneur, and Kelly Rostic, a former anchorwoman with NBC and Fox. Awards and honors Beauty pageants Miss Vacationland 1962 Miss Ohio 1962 Miss America 1963 Halls of Fame Ohio Women's Hall of Fame inductee (class of 1997) State/Local Section of State Route 2 running through Erie County named "Jackie Mayer Miss America Highway". Other Honorary Doctorate Degree from Lourdes College References External links Jackie Mayer's official website In Her Opinion, an article by Jackie Mayer from MissAmerica.org 1942 births Living people Miss America winners