Find Out the First Miss America Winner from Your State

Neva Jane Langley became the first Miss Georgia to win Miss America, taking the crown in 1953. Born in Lakeland, Florida, she grew up in Georgia and studied at Wesleyan College in Macon. With her musical talent on the piano and graceful presence, she won over both judges and audiences.

Her victory made her the first woman from the Deep South to hold the national title. Langley went on to perform and appear across the country, later settling into a life focused on family and community. She remains a beloved figure in Georgia pageant history.