A few years later , Vanessa Williams ( Miss New York 1983 ) won the title of Miss America 1984 on September 17 , 1983 , making her the first African American woman to wear the crown . Williams later commented that she was one of five minority contestants that year , noting that ballet dancer Deneen Graham " had already had a cross burned on her front yard because she was the first black Miss North Carolina 1983 . " She also pointed out that " Suzette Charles was the first runner-up , and she was biracial . But when the press started , when I would go out on the – on the tour and do my appearances , and people would come up and say they never thought they 'd see the day that it would happen ; when people would want to shake my hand , and you 'd see tears in their eyes , and they 'd say , I never thought I 'd see it in my lifetime – that 's when , you know , it was definitely a very special honor . " Williams ' reign as Miss America was not without its challenges and controversies , however . For the first time in pageant history , a reigning Miss America was the target of death threats and hate mail . Williams was forced to resign seven weeks prior to the end of her time as Miss America , however , after the unauthorized publication of nude photos in '' Penthouse . '' First runner-up , Miss New Jersey 1983 , Suzette Charles replaced her for the final weeks of Williams ' reign . Thirty-two years after she resigned however , Vanessa Williams returned to the Miss America stage on September 13 , 2015 , for the Miss America 2016 pageant as head judge ( where Miss Georgia 2015 , Betty Cantrell , won the crown ) . The pageant began with former Miss America CEO Sam Haskell issuing an apology to Williams , telling her that although " none of us currently in the organization were involved then , on behalf of today 's organization , I want to apologize to you and to your mother , Miss Helen Williams . I want to apologize for anything that was said or done that made you feel any less the Miss America you are and the Miss America you always will be . " Suzette Charles ( Williams ' replacement ) said in an interview with '' Inside Edition '' that she was perplexed over the apology and suggested that it was given for the purpose of ratings
Miss America 1984
Miss America 1984
Miss America