Norma Smallwood

Who was Norma Smallwood?

Norma Descygne Smallwood captured first place in both the bather's review and the evening gown contest and the following evening was crowned Miss America 1926. Smallwood is noted as being the first Native American to win the crown.

Smallwood was a native of Tulsa, Oklahoma who earned the Miss Tulsa title and graduated from high school at age 16. She was a student at the Oklahoma College for Women when she competed for Miss America. Her hobbies included swimming, dancing, horseback riding and served as captain of her college hockey team. She was the daughter of Edward Smallwood and Mahalia Angela Smallwood. She also had a half sister and a half brother from her father.

During her year as Miss America, she became the poster girl for Meadows Washing Machines and Westinghouse Electric, in addition to many others. It was said she made approximately $100,000 during her year.

She was married twice. Her first marriage, to Thomas Gilcrease produced a daughter, Des Cygne L'Amour Gilcrease, who was born on June 12, 1929, in Tulsa. The marriage ended in divorce on May 2, 1934, and the father was awarded sole custody of their daughter. Her second husband was George H. Bruce, president of Aladdin Petroleum Corporation.