32 years after being force to resign and give up her crown, Vanessa Williams, the first African American woman to receive the crown, finally received a much-deserved and long-overdue apology from the CEO of the organization during the pageant last week.
"I have been a close friend to this beautiful and talented lady for 32 years. You have lived your life with grace and dignity and never was it more evident during the events of 1984 when you resigned," Sam Haskell shared with the audience Sunday night. "Though none of us currently in the organization were involved in it, on behalf of today's organization, I want to apologize for anything that was said and done to you and to your mother, Miss Helen Williams."
He continued, "I want to apologize for anything that was said or done that made you feel any less than the Miss America that you are and Miss America you always will be."
"Thank you Sam, so unexpected but so beautiful," she shared. "I did the best that I could during my reign during 1983 to 1984. On behalf of my family and my mother in particular…and your leadership and integrity, I love you. I love the girls and I'm so honored."
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