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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the First Lady


For Immediate Release May 22, 1995
      First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton Receives The Miss America
           Organization's Annual 'Woman of Achievement Award'

First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton was presented with the Miss America Organization's "Woman of Achievement Award" today, Monday, May 22, 1995, at the White House. The award was presented to Mrs. Clinton by Heather Whitestone, the current Miss America. The award is given annually by the Miss America Organization to a woman who has demonstrated exemplary commitment to social causes and issues.

Mrs. Clinton was selected for this honor because of her dedication to community service which encompasses over 25 years of working on behalf of children and families. As a recipient of the award Mrs. Clinton received a grant of $25,000 to be awarded to the charity of her choice and a crystal commemorative sculpture.

The Miss America Organization and the First Lady have a shared belief in the importance of community service. In conjunction with their 75th Anniversary, the Miss America Organization this year established an "institutional platform" of community service by partnering with the Corporation for National Service. The partnership between the Miss America Organization and the Corporation for National Service involves the participation in community service projects by Miss America contestants, title holders and the current Miss America.

Following the presentation, Mrs. Clinton took the opportunity to applaud the Miss America Organization for being the single largest provider of scholarships to women in the world. Since 1945, The Miss American Organization has awarded $100 million in scholarships for women; $24 million was awarded in 1994 alone.

PREVIOUS "WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT" AWARD WINNERS INCLUDE:

First Lady Betty Ford, for her dedication to championing cancer awareness and chemical dependency recovery. 1989

First Lady Rosalyn Carter, for her work on behalf of persons who are mentally ill and handicapped. 1990

Pediatric AIDS Foundation founder Elizabeth Glaser, for her crusade to create greater awareness regarding the pediatric AIDS crisis. 1991

Artist and activist Mary Davis Fisher, for her nationally acclaimed efforts to bring awareness, compassion and healing to the cause of HIV-AIDS. 1993

Vice President of the National Alliance to End Homelessness, Nan Roman, who has spent 20 years working to eradicate poverty and help our nation's disadvantaged citizens. 1994

The Miss America Organization, a not-for-profit corporation based in Atlantic City, New Jersey, is committed to providing young American Women with the opportunity to enhance their personal and professional development through scholarship programs and achievement-oriented opportunities.