Miss Subways

It was 1970 and life was good. I was working for a large corporation, the first of its kind and located smack in the middle of NYC’s Times Square. The historical building, 1501 Broadway, was formerly The Paramount Theatre where Frank Sinatra made his debut in 1942. I was hired as a secretary with opportunities for upward mobility. Promotions to administrative assistant for department managers and directors followed. My positions included good medical benefits as well. While the corporate world paid my rent and afforded some comforts, I had a keen interest in the arts.  

Singing since the age of three for family and friends, I instinctively knew I wanted to study acting. The question became; how do I explore this possibility while holding down a nine to five? How can I position myself to get discovered? Living in St. Albans, Queens, I rode the bus to the subway and the subway into Manhattan. One day, I took notice of the Miss Subways poster among the many advertisements on display. The photo of a young lady next to her aspirational profile was a part of New York City’s cultural history. Miss Subways beauty contests began in 1941. New Yorker Mona Freeman became the first to have her photo and profile displayed throughout the entire NYC subway system. She subsequently went to Hollywood and became an actress working with film producer Howard Hughes. Well, no doubt about it, that was the path for me to explore! 

In Spring of 1974, I called Bernard Spaulding, sales director for the New York Subways Advertising Company, and fortunately, the window was still open to send an 8x10 black and white photo with a profile. Around 30 out of 300-400 entries were chosen for interviews. The six semi-finalists chosen from that pool were placed on the contestant card, which was posted throughout the entire subway system for a month, allowing the millions of subway riders to vote via mail, and that they did! I won that year along with Sonia Dominguez, who came in first place. Her photo was displayed from June-October. Mine followed from November-April.  

This contest propelled me into the public arena like I never anticipated! I was so laser focused on studying in a theatre group that I didn’t think much beyond that. Well, the congratulatory phone calls started rolling in. A procession of invitations to speak at different events, and appear at a variety of receptions and openings, were quite numerous. Then I had to adjust to seeing my image lit up and featured on the subway… Yipes! At first, I tried to shrink, I wanted to vanish. It was a shock to my system and emotionally jarring. Self-conscious, I put on my sunglasses, adjusted my posture and slowly exhaled. Looking around, I realized no one made the connection. Whew! As the train continued to Manhattan, I pondered my awkward response, concluding that I was basically a painfully shy person unless I knew you. I attributed this achievement to the support provided by family, friends, and coworkers. 

When I exited the subway heading for the office that morning, the sun was shining, the air was fresh with the scent of fall. I felt revived, glad to be alive. It was, after all, autumn in New York. I thought, ‘This is my hometown and I’m a third generation native New Yorker who is now Miss Subways!’ No more shrinking from my poster. I stood under it and had a fun, comical, unique experience.  

This ‘First’ led to another ‘First:’ the opportunity to study with the theatre group of my choice. The historic Negro Ensemble Company required an audition… which is a multi-layered story of its own, and an experience I will always cherish.  

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Marcia is a third generation New Yorker. Her career has spanned the corporate sector, music, community outreach, and the wife of an American Diplomat. She has taught drama, personal development in the US and abroad, served in Christian ministry and as a champion for Jazz education, and is an active participant in Portland's prolific Jazz community. A Jazz Radio Host for over 20 years, she is currently on KBOO Community Radio 90.7 FM with Jazz Lives! on alternate Wednesdays from 12:08-2 PM. Her widely recognized contributions have garnered multiple awards including Oregon Public Broadcasting's (OPB) highest volunteer honor for radio and television combined, and the Jan Henderson Award for Leadership. For further information: marciakhocker.com

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