“Miss Subways”

“Beauty pageants promote the fantasy of the ideal woman. But for 35 years, one contest in New York City celebrated the everyday working girl.

Each month starting in 1941, a young woman was elected “Miss Subways,” and her face gazed down on transit riders as they rode through the city. Her photo was accompanied by a short bio describing her hopes, dreams and aspirations. The public got to choose the winners — so Miss Subway represented the perfect New York miss.”

Why isn’t this still a thing? The producers at Radio Diaries bring us the story, below, or you can listen on their website. And who doesn’t love a slideshow?