Browne left New York to attend the Lutheran - based Luther College in Decorah , Iowa at the advice of her minister . She stated in an interview that it was her first venture to the midwest . While she was an undergraduate there , Browne entered and won the local 1970 '' Miss Decorah Pageant '' which enabled her to compete in the Miss Iowa pageant held on June 13 , 1970 . Browne placed first in the swimsuit competition and performed an original ballet performance for the talent competition to the music of ' Scheherazade . ' She beat the other 19 ( white ) contestants to win the title of Miss Iowa 1970 . This win generated a strong response ( some in support and some critical ) to newspapers , the Miss Iowa pageant board , and to Browne herself . The criticisms ranged from her ethnic background to the fact that a non-native Iowan won the crown . According to '' The Register-Guard '' , Browne , herself , was " surprised that Iowa , with its conservative traditions , silent majority , and small black population ( 1 percent of the state 's 1970 population of 2,800,000 ) was the first state to pick a black girl as its representative . " This backlash followed her to the Miss America 1971 pageant held on September 12 , 1970 . Browne drew attention from reporters and from security personnel in Atlantic City who maintained a visible presence during pageant rehearsals . In addition , the Women 's Liberation Front demonstrated at the event . Brown was not a finalist , however , losing to Miss Texas 1970 , Phyllis George . In August 1971 , Browne traveled to Vietnam with George , Miss Nevada 1970 , Vicky Jo Todd , Miss New Jersey 1970 , Hela Yungst , Miss Arizona 1970 , Karen Shields , Miss Arkansas 1970 , Donna Connelly , and Miss Texas 1970 ( George 's replacement ) , Belinda Myrick . They participated in a 22-day United Service Organizations tour for American troops that began in Saigon . Browne later commented that she thought " it was one of the last Miss America groups to go to Vietnam . " Browne graduated from Luther College in 1972
Miss America 1971
Miss America 1971
Cheryl Browne