In 1923, the Miss America Organization launched the Miss America Scholarship Foundation, which has provided millions of dollars in scholarships to young women across the United States. Over the years, the pageant has evolved to include a variety of competitions in addition to the traditional beauty, talent and personality components, such as swimsuit and evening wear competitions, as well as an interview portion.
The Miss America pageant has been criticized for its emphasis on physical beauty and for its lack of inclusivity. In recent years, the organization has made efforts to be more diverse and inclusive, and the pageant has seen an increase in the number of women of color and women with disabilities competing for the title.
The Miss America pageant remains a popular event, and its winners go on to represent the United States at the Miss Universe pageant and the Miss World pageant. The pageant also provides a platform for young women to speak out on social and political issues, and to raise awareness for important causes, including domestic violence, child abuse and cancer awareness.