Dorothy Benham, Miss America 1977, is a classically trained lyric-coloratura soprano having performed in concert with Symphony Orchestras, Opera companies, and an original cast member of the Tony and Grammy Award-winning Broadway show "Jerome Robbins' Broadway" where she was featured as the "Somewhere" soloist and part of the ensemble. She sang the National Anthem for the 1979 World Series games in Pittsburgh, PA., and at a fundraiser for President Reagan, then for the Sammy Davis Jr. Celebrity Dinner. In 1976 Dorothy was the featured half-time performer at the Liberty Bowl. She performed with Bob Hope and Doc Severinsen, and was chosen by Peter Schickele (aka PDQ Bach) as the soprano for his composer showcase at the Lincoln Center in NYC. She has been a frequent guest soloist on "The Hour of Power" in Garden Grove, California, and was honored to sing for their final Christmas Eve Service in 2012 and then again for the final Sunday worship service at the Crystal Cathedral June 30th, 2013. Following her year as Miss America, Dorothy not only was a featured performer, co-host, and judge of the Miss America Pageant but worked extensively in television and radio as a spokesperson for a variety of companies. Dorothy's USO work began with the Miss America USO Troupe performing for our Servicemen in Japan, Korea, the Philippines, and Guam. In 1981 she was the Host and performer for the USO's 40th Anniversary Celebration in Stuttgart, Germany. Then along with Brooke Shields and the USO performed aboard the USS John F. Kennedy at the 1986 Statue of Liberty Bi-Centennial Celebration for President and Mrs. Reagan. Dorothy is the proud mother of six children and seven grandchildren
