Court hears Lumbee beauty crown case

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2002

A federal judge on Tuesday heard testimony from a Lumbee woman seeking the right to participate in the Miss America pageant.

The judge is considering whether Rebekah Revels or another contestant should compete. Revels, the winner of North Carolina's pageant, asserts she is the rightful state beauty title holder.

But she resigned after an ex-boyfriend, who lives on the Eastern Cherokee Reservation, e-mailed the state pageant and said he had revealing photos. Revels is suing Tosh Welch although state officials won't serve court papers on tribal land.

Revels is at the pageant in Atlantic City. So is Misty Clymer, who took over the state title after Revels resigned.

The Lumbee Tribe is not federally recognized.

Get the Story:
Judge says ruling unlikely in dueling Miss North Carolina case (AP 9/11)
One Miss North Carolina Pleads Her Case (The New York Times 9/11)
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Dethroned Miss North Carolina testifies in federal case to keep title (AP 9/10)

Relevant Links:
Miss America - http://www.missamerica.org