Gretchen Carlson To Chair Miss America Pageant

Gretchen Carlson, who was Miss America in 1989 and in recent years has become a prominent voice against workplace sexual harassment, will take over as chairwoman of the pageant’s board of directors, the organization announced on Monday.

According to The NYTimes, Carlson, a former Fox News anchor whose harassment lawsuit against the Fox chairman Roger Ailes led to his departure in July 2016, will be expected to lead the pageant through its own harassment scandal. Three executives resigned last month after reports that leadership had used vulgar language to deride former winners in emails.

Carlson posted on Twitter:

Honored to move this iconic program forward with so many amazing volunteers. #MissAmerica @MissAmericaOrg @MissAmerica https://t.co/HnR0mC64eO

— Gretchen Carlson (@GretchenCarlson) January 1, 2018

The organization also added three former Miss America winners to its board: Laura Kaeppeler Fleiss, who won for 2012; Heather French Henry, who won for 2000; and Kate Shindle, who won for 1998.

On Dec. 21, HuffPost published emails that showed Sam Haskell, the chief executive, had made misogynistic remarks about former winners and at times was supported by other organization leaders. The emails indicated that he had shamed Mallory Hagan, a former pageant winner, over her weight and sex life.

Statement from @GretchenCarlson and @kateshindle regarding @MissAmericaOrg pic.twitter.com/964UteeHsI

— Gretchen Carlson (@GretchenCarlson) December 23, 2017

Two days later, the organization accepted the resignations of Mr. Haskell; Josh Randle, the president; and Lynn Weidner, the chairwoman. Several other board members have resigned.

Carlson, who has previously served on the board, was one of 49 pageant winners to sign a letter on Dec. 22 demanding the resignations, calling the leaders’ behavior “despicable.”