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The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.
Another installment to celebrate Women’s History Month. 😀 This week, a woman from my own tribe. Some of us remember her from the TV show in the 60’s called “I’ve Got a Secret.”
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
FOR SUCH A TIME
“I would’ve been taller.” Bella gaffed off her daughter’s complaints. “But we couldn’t afford it. Back to your homework.”
At 5’10”, twelve-year-old Bess stood head and shoulders above her classmates, garnering her the role of Olive Oyl in the school play. An honor she didn’t want.
As she matured, her awkwardness became statuesque grace.
Bess’s sister entered her in the Miss New York beauty pageant. Although embarrassed, she competed, refusing to use a pseudonym that didn’t sound “so Jewish.”
On August 15, 1945, in the shadow of the liberation of Auschwitz, Bess Myerson proudly wore the crown of Miss America.
*******
I loved “I would have been taller but we couldn’t afford it”
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Dear Neil,
Sometimes fact is more fun than fiction. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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She is beautiful.
Great that she didn’t change her name.
So nice she won!
Take care.
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Dear Anita,
She was a beautiful woman with strong convictions. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A great story. Well done, her.
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Dear Tony,
Thank you. She was one of my childhood heroes. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I remember her from TV. She was beautiful. A lovely tribute, Rochelle. Stay well. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
I remember my mother pointing out to me that Bess Myerson was Jewish. Mom’s way of reminding me of my heritage. At the time it just irritated me. Now I’m glad she did. Thank you re my story. Stay well yourself, my friend.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Nice tribute to this beautiful lady. Once again you did a good job capturing the larger story in your 100 words.
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Dear Trent,
She was a beauty. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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When I was a kid I saw a photo of Bess in a LIFE compilation and fell madly in love. She was only unseated by Ava Gardner, but just barely. This is a great story. I love the quip at the beginning. Thanks for hosting!
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Dear Josh,
She was one elegant lady. I aspired to be the second Jewish Miss America but I was too short. (You’re buying this, right?) Thank you re my story. I can’t claim originality for the quip. I’m just a good finder. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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How fitting to become Miss America at that time in History. Good story.
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Dear Jan,
Timing is everything. 😀 Thank you, m’luv.
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I well remember being 5ft 10inches, it was good to know that I was not the only one🙂
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She’s one of New York’s most distinguished characters
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Dear Larry,
A New York woman, born and raised.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Relatives of mine used to work in a building in Manhattan, and often saw her
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Very inspirational. Yes, i too loved that line about “could have been taller but couldn’t afford it”. l
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Dear Neel,
I wish I could claim originality for the line. But fortunately for me, someone recorded the quote. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Beauty transcends race, m’lady, as you so elegantly portray
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Dear CE,
Thank you for such an lovely comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a truly beautiful woman, inside and out it seems. Good for her for refusing to change her name though how depressing that some of the sponsors withdrew their backing. And she continued her courageous stance through her life so it seems. Wonderful. And another great story from you Rochelle. Hope you’re surviving there okay. We’re n lock down as you might have heard – no work, no leaving the house unless we need to. Keep well
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Dear Lynn,
Bess Myerson was a household name as I was growing up. Of course my mother made sure I knew she was Jewish. 😉 Thank you mom, for the constant reminders that irritated me at the time. I didn’t know about her being Miss America until i was older. I just knew her as the pretty lady on What’s My Line.
We’re also on lock down and surviving just fine. Being a bit of a recluse, it doesn’t feel too different than the norm…save the fact that the pool is closed and i really miss my swims. At least I have an exercise machine and a nice neighborhood for long walks. There are many things I’m grateful for…one being electricity, the other being internet.
Thank you again.
Shalom and good health,
Rochelle
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I’m missing my walks – used to walking out most days, even if it’s just to go to the shops. Feel like walking miles at the moment. We’re only supposed to go out for food, medicine and a brief exercise once a day. Hard to stay focused on much, I’m finding. Keep well, Rochelle
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A beautiful young woman who grew old just as gracefully as she grew up. She was an amazing person to me, as I grew up; not just because, you know, Miss America, beautiful, etc. Does anyone remember what her talent was? But because she was a lady. Always.
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Dear Linda,
Her talent was piano. She was beautiful and a household name in the 60’s. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yes, I remember her well. Piano. Maybe that’s why I learned to love it so much.
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A great story.
Gertie is so proud of you and her.
She’s kvelling!!!!
But as we all know, it’s not the height that matters (and that was no tall story – you know I had to make that pun).
Zai gesundt. Be in good health, stay in good health.
Ran-da-lah
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Dear Ran-da-lah,
So good to see you here, Bubbeleh. I can hear Gertie’s kvelling from here. 😀 Thanks to both of you. And zai gesundt to you, too.
Shalom and Mazel tov on your award winning poem.
Rukhel Schwester
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Oh, meine schvester. Thank you for your mazel tov. May you be in good health – gay ga zinte haight.
Riven, dein bruder
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❤
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It’s nice to read something that’s not about the virus just now, and a positive story at that. A shame that so many important things are being overshadowed just now.
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Dear Iain,
We all know about it. We’re all affected. Why write about it, too? Thank you for your kind comments.
Shalom and good health,
Rochelle
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Here’s another person I’ve never heard of. I feel like I learned a lot in 100 words. Good for her for not changing her name. I’ve heard of many entertainers choosing names that sounded less Jewish. I’m sure it was especially meaningful given the time.
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Dear Nobbin,
Happy to be of service. I don’t think many entertainers change their names these days. On the other hand I wonder if we’d remember the name Eugene Orowitz who portrayed Little Joe on Bonanza. 😉 Doesn’t have the same ring as Michael Landon, does it? Thank you.
Shalom and good health,
Rochelle
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Even in the comments you’re dropping knowledge. I didn’t know Michael Landon wasn’t his real name.
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😉
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Another ‘educational’ take on the photo prompt. Knew nothing about this lady! Left me wondering if religion was an issue in UK beauty contests.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Dear Susan,
I couldn’t tell you about UK pageants. Sadly racism played a huge role in every walk of life in America. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Olive Oyl indeed! The timing of her ‘coronation’ was simply perfect. Another gem Rochelle.
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Dear Keith,
I can’t imagine Bess Myerson every being gawky but teenagers do go through it. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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❤ Wonderful truth, told so well.
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Thank you, Lisa. 😀
Shalom and good health,
Rochelle
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You’re welcome, Rochelle 🙂
Shalom,
Lisa
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Love your historical tidbits!
Shalom,
Ronda
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I’m glad you do, Ronda. Thank you for taking the time to say so.
Shalom and continued good health,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
I love her! Now I feel I have to go on a serious diet because 5’10” and 135 lbs is like. Yeah. Never mind. You brought her to life, as you do in your inimitable (though we sometimes try) way.
What a beautiful woman and kudos to her for standing her ground and being her own gorgeous, Jewish self!
Shalom and lotsa beautiful love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
At my top weight I was a little over hers. Kind of puts it into perspective, doesn’t it? Thank you for your kind words and for a great chat this morning. I love laughing across the airwaves.
Shalom and lotsa statuesque (if I stand on a chair) hugs,
Rochelle
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Well, to be fair, you are, um, closer to the ground than either of us… 😉
Thank goodness for social media, is all I can say. To be able to laugh from England to Missouri, with some Quebec in the middle is a mighty fine thing.
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😘❤️🥰🤣🤣🤣
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😘❤️🥰🤣🤣🤣
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I didn’t know of her, but that sounds like it was my loss. She was beautiful indeed, as is your story.
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Thank you for such a lovely comment/compliment, Sandra.
Shalom and continued health,
Rochelle
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A wonderful story, beautifully told.
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Thank you, Clare. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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She’s lovely – a well-deserved crown.
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I quite agree, Liz. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Childhood awkwardness often changes to beautiful and statuesque. Lovely story!
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Dear Ali,
I knew a girl in junior high who was skinny, awkward and wore glasses. By high school, skinny became graceful and willowy and she started wearing contacts. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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i guess she’d stand out even if she wasn’t tall. 🙂
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Dear Plaridel,
Yes, I think she would’ve stood out. Thank you for coming by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A lovely irony that she was crowned in the same year that Auschwitz was liberated. I do hope someone follows in her footsteps soon. A great piece, Rochelle!
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Dear Eric,
One never knows when another one will come along. I love the timing, though. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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How interesting. I never knew that about Bess Myerson. Thanks, Rochelle!
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Dear Susan,
She was a household name during the early 1960’s. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A fabulous woman!
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She was, Laurie. Thank you for reading.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great tribute, Rochelle and great that she won through against the odds and without compromise.
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Thank you, Michael.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A wonderful story about a beautiful person. As always you introduced us to a hero and I look forward to reading your stories. Take care!
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Dear Brenda,
I do my best. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That’s a wonderful story!
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Thank you, Russell. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Need more people who think like her in this world. Beautifully penned.
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Many thanks, Susan. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Beautiful post. Everything is beautiful in this.
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Thank you so much, Indira. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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🙂 Shalom.
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I hadn’t known this. Thanks for the min-history lesson.
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Always happy to share Keigh. Thank you for commenting. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You’re welcome. Really enjoyed the history lesson.
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Isn’t it strange people tease you for something that then becomes something that they then praise you for. A true life ugly duckling story and I really liked that ‘we couldn’t afford it’ quote.
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Dear Subroto,
I used to hate my curly hair. Now I love it. Go figure. Thank you. 😀 Hope you are safe and well.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
This is so a beautiful and uplifting story. Her sister did the right thing getting her into the pageant and Bess deserved to win. She was lovely. I love the fact that she received her crown the same time Auschwitz was liberated. As usual, you brought us a bit of history in an engaging and expertly penned story.
Shalom,
Adele
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I didn’t know about it… I recently listened to a podcast about Vanessa Williams who was the first black woman to be crowned, but who had to give it up because of nude photos. There is always something important with the first of a minority… but how amazing that it was 1945
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Dear Björn,
I remember the whole Vanessa Williams fiasco. I wonder if the nude photos would be an issue today. Nonetheless, Vanessa is a beautiful woman and has gained success as an actress. Yes, the timing for Bess’s crowning is timely. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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She sounds like a fascinating, feisty woman. Good for her for not hiding her heritage!
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Dear Mags,
Ms. Myerson was a strong woman. I loved reading and writing about her.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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